Wash. Post's Woodward's misleading, disingenuous statements on Plame case

[NNN0LHI]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200511160013



Wash. Post's Woodward's misleading, disingenuous statements on Plame investigation

Woodward's criticisms of Fitzgerald's "assault on the First Amendment" were primarily in response to the jailing of Miller for contempt of court after she refused to reveal who divulged Plame's identity to her. For example, during a taped interview on the July 13 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country, Woodward said: "Judy Miller should not be in jail. I think the judge and the special prosecutor in this alleged CIA leak case made a mistake. It's really vital to have confidential sources. I think Judy Miller is doing the right thing. And I think she should be freed and they should reconsider this."

On the October 17 edition of CNN's Larry King Live, Woodward said of Fitzgerald: "And there's a lot of innocent actions in all of this, but what has happened this prosecutor, I mean, I used to call Mike Isikoff, when he worked at The Washington Post, the junkyard dog. Well, this is a junkyard-dog prosecutor, and he goes everywhere and asks every question and turns over rocks and rocks under rocks and so forth." At no point did Woodward disclose that he, too, was a "rock" he did not want Fitzgerald to turn over.

Woodward also defended syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak, who originally made Plame's identity public in a July 14, 2003, column but has since refused to identify his source. Woodward was quoted in a December 1, 2004, Editor & Publisher article saying that "Bob Novak has taken a stand that is supported by many in the press," adding, "He is protecting his sources. He has done nothing that is illegal or improper."

At no point in making these comments did Woodward note that he had a specific and personal interest in Fitzgerald's inquiry: Even as Fitzgerald was subpoenaing reporters, Woodward knew that his testimony, in which he too would presumably be forced to reveal his sources, would have been significant to the investigation.

On several occasions, Woodward dismissed the controversy as much ado about nothing or opined that he saw no evidence of a crime...

[fasttense]

1. What a smoke screen. I guess he was hoping Fitzgerald would overlook him.

I like Fitzgerald the more I hear about how the neocon are sooo abused by him. This statement alone by Woodward makes me want to cheer. "Well, this is a junkyard-dog prosecutor, and he goes everywhere and asks every question and turns over rocks and rocks under rocks and so forth." Seems Fitzgerald likes to have all the facts and he doesn't get intimidated by politicians or once respected journalists.

[MADem]

7. Ya know, he either has a head the size of a medicine ball, or he is stupid

as all get out. Think about it--you want to fly under the radar, you KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN. He had to have MARCHING ORDERS--go out there, Bob, and put out that fire!!!! Poo-poo this story, make it go away, throw a turd or two in the punch!!!

Someone who knew his real agenda likely got pissed off at all of his "opining" and dropped a dime on the schmuck. Either that, or Fitz got the info in some other fashion, and squeezed Woodward.

I think the more the GOP squeals and hollers, the closer Fitz is getting. This is like Watergate, but worse!

[C_U_L8R]

8. Both.... and more

this man has proven to be an arrogant fool...
and is probably on the reich's payroll.

Woodward may have compromised years
ago as payback for Nixon... I bet Bush et al
have something on him.... or maybe
Woodward is just greedy.

we really need to scrutinize all these crooks and
cronies who obscure and protest too much...

who are they protecting.. and why ????

[Stanchetalarooni]

2. This guy works part-time for BushCo.

He sounds more like a defender of BushCo than the First Ammendment.

[Binka]

11. Part Time? He Is A Full Time WH Sycophant.

Bush is an ASSHOLE and Woodward is carrying his stink for him.

Peyton say "Go Fuck Yourself Bob You Big Fairy!"

[still_one]

3. in order for the washington post to have any credibility

they should let woodward go

the media is part of the problem, and part of the reason we are in Iraq today

[Skittles]

6. definitely the reason why they were able to install bush

into the WHite House; if the media had told the real truth about bush from day one there is no way he would have been considered a viable candidate

[BOSSHOG]

4. Woodward - The lead character of "All the President's Whores"

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. So gee Bob, what else have you lied to us about?

Maybe Tenet didn't say it was a 'slam dunk'? Maybe you made that one up too? Especially, since Bush desperately needed someone to get him off the hook that day regarding to the Intel he used to go to war in Iraq.

FU Bob, go stick it where the sun don't shine.

[spanone]

9. They showed him lying last night when asked if he knew anything

about the plame case. He lied. What the fuck is it with this country? Does the truth have any meaning in America whatsoever?

[ochazuke]

10. Perhaps he had Judy Miller's disease before Judy did

by which I mean, letting all that wonderful confidential access suck you into the evil world of the people you are supposed to be a check upon as a memeber of the fourth estate.

Looks like Woodward has been outed as a hack. So, the second casualty of Plamegate is another journalist. Looks like we kill all the lawyers SECOND.

[Loonman]

12. Crumb bum

Who woulda thought Woodward was an opportunistic hack?