Liar Calls Access Journalist a Pot
Even before Tom Ricks handed his blog over to Bob Woodward to rip Donald Rumsfeld a new asshole, Ricks shared this quote from H.R. Haldeman about Rummy as a way to introduce Rummy’s dismissal of Ricks’ Fiasco and Woodward’s books.
So in my research on the Vietnam War I was paging through H.R. Haldeman’s diaries to see what he says about General Creighton Abrams and was surprised to come across his comment about a former defense secretary we all know: “typical Rumsfeld, rather slimy maneuver.” (657)
As Ricks said, pot, kettle.
But proving there is no honor among thieves (and that you can’t use too many cliches before noon), Rummy has now hit back at Woodward.
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s chief of staff accused Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward on Tuesday of practicing “access journalism,” and said that Woodward has been repeatedly accused of “tilting the facts,” “misleading remarks,” “disingenuous statements,” and placing “book sales above journalism.”
Keith Urbahn, who is also Rumsfeld’s official spokesperson, made the accusations in a statement to reporters in response to Woodward’s scathing critique of Rumsfeld’s recently released memoir, Known and Unknown.
[snip]
Urbahn accused Woodward of favoring his sources and granting them anonymity in exchange for access, while pushing his own storyline ahead of the facts.
“The well known story about Bob Woodward is that he practices what is derided as ‘access journalism,’ whereby he favors those who provide him with information and gossip and leak against their colleagues,” he said in a statement, which was also posted on Rumsfeld’s Facebook page. “Those who refuse to play along, such as Donald Rumsfeld, then pay the price.”
Another cliche: “I’m rubber and you’re glue…”
Now, as I suggested yesterday, for all of Woodward’s faults, I was floored when I saw how meticulously Woodward kept his notes as exhibited at the Libby trial. Plus, his post yesterday was really well documented. Not to mention we all know Rummy’s a pathological liar.
So I’m really just sharing Rummy’s response because I am loving watching these crotchety old Nixon-era zombies go after each other.
Plus, I secretly have my fingers crossed that Cheney will join in any moment now.
“So I’m really just sharing Rummy’s response because I am loving watching these crotchety old Nixon-era zombies go after each other.”
Ha! Grumpy old men!
Actually, Woodward would have to have the real goods to go after Rummy. I too hope to see the Dickster come out of his hole and growl. Especially, now that Spain has decided that it could go ahead with the trials. I know, Cheney paid them off, but he may still be called to testify and if caught lying to a foreign court it will be absolutely the best thing that has happened in America for decades!
Good one, EW.
Please remind me: Isn’t Cheney writing his own book? Or did he already do that, and I’m suppressing the memory?
Cheney does seem to be rather quiet lately, after that early post-administration period where he’d show up wherever a microphone appeared. His daughter isn’t even saying much, is she?
Bob in AZ
Yeah, but Rummy’s Chief of Staff is married to Nicole Kidman!
Yes, Woodward has been accused of all the things Rummy says. And he’s likely guilty of all of them.
But I note that neither Rummy nor his spokesnut denies any of the points that Woodward made. In fact, they don’t seem to address the substance of Woodwards post at all.
Boxturtle (Hey Dick, you there? Woodward said mean things about you!)
When I say the post title, I thought this was going to be about the Bardella/Issa/Leibovich/Politico kerfluffle.
Heh. You will not have to wait long, oh impatient one…..
One post too soon, you are.
Does anyone happen to know if either Ricks or Woodward have ever confronted Rumsfeld about the $2.3 trillion that was missing from DoD( on September 10,2010)?
By any chance has Rumsfeld mentioned this in his books?
Thanks in advance for any input.
Does Cheney have a pulse yet?
He hasn’t had a pulse since he got his new heart machine, which pushes bloodflow continuously. No pulse. I’m not sure if his own heart does anything anymore, or even if they’ve left it in there for future reference, or what. His new heart machine is, IIRC, external. Must be a humbling experience, although a humble Dick Cheney is not something I’ve witnessed yet.
Bob in AZ
Dick can’t see himself in a mirror, either, or savor the smell of herbs and flowering bulbs. He “lives” a lunge outside the gates of Langley because it’s the only place on the Eastern seaboard in which he can get lost in the crowd.
Something smells about this, about Rumsfeld’s book, and Woodward’s sudden antipathy via blogging (of all things). It’s like anti-logrolling. What’s next, a Cheney endorsement of Newt via Twitter?
As you say in the indirect exchange of views between Halderman and Rumsfeld, two peas in a pod (even though it’s after the noon sell by date for cliches).
Lovely post, as usual.
I’d’ve succumbed to the temptation to work “Haldeman called Rummy ‘slimy'” into the title. – A ‘thousand words’ visual to those of us in a certain demographic.