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‘What the Hell Is Going On Here?’: Woodward Escalates His War With the White House

Feb. 27, 2013 10:41am Becket Adams

Bob Woodward Escalates His War of Words With the White House on MSNBCs Morning Joe

Watergate reporters Carl Bernstein, left, and Bob Woodward sit in the newsroom of the Washington Post, May 7, 1973. (AP File photo)

Bob Woodward on Wednesday accused President Barack Obama of acting with a “kind of madness” in his handling of the automatic spending cuts set to take effect Friday.

Woodward, credited with bringing down Richard Nixon along with fellow Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein, appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” to discuss his ongoing war of words with the White House over its handling of the impending sequester.

“I think peoples’ heads are about to explode about all of this, you know, what the hell is going on here?” Woodward said Wednesday. “I’m not sure the White House understands exactly what happened in all of these negotiation at the end of 2011 with the sequester and the super committee, because they were really on the sidelines.”

He continued, turning his attention to the White House’s recent claim that spending cuts would prohibit it from deploying aircraft carriers to the Persian Gulf.

“Can you imagine Ronald Reagan sitting there and saying ‘Oh, by the way, I can’t do this because of some budget document?’” Woodward said.

“Or George W. Bush saying, ‘You know, I’m not going to invade Iraq because I can’t get the aircraft carriers I need’ or even Bill Clinton saying, ‘You know, I’m not going to attack Saddam Hussein’s intelligence headquarters,’ as he did when Clinton was president because of some budget document?” he added.

“Under the Constitution, the president is commander-in-chief and employs the force. And so we now have the president going out because of this piece of paper and this agreement, I can’t do what I need to do to protect the country. That’s a kind of madness that I haven’t seen in a long time.”

Woodward has caught a lot of flack recently for accusing the Obama administration of “moving the goal posts” in its budget negotiations with the GOP and for reporting in his book, “The Price of Politics,” that the automatic spending cuts were President Obama’s idea.

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(H/T: Mediaite). Featured image AP. This post has been updated.

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Comments (277)

matt_c
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:51pm
It’s great that he’s acting like a real journalist, but I like him best when he’s playing Ron Popeil.

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DAYWATCHER
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:49pm
O-bozo in chief, will do EVERYTHING he can to CREATE EMERGENCIES so that he can GRAB POWER any way he can. And the lame stream media have support him every step of the way!

NEVER FORGET!

This includes lying, cheating, ignoring or not enforcing certain laws and willfully breaking other laws.

O-bozo is a narcissist and he shall continue seizing power as long as the American people let him.

This man and those Billionaires that tell him what to do are EVIL. If given the chance, he would allow a Weapon of Mass Destruction to go off here in America just so he could cease control.

I know everyone is going to have a fit over that last sentence but O-bozo is too close to Americas enemy’s, Communist and The Muslim Brotherhood. Of course, the people that would be “proven” to have set of a WMD would be those crazy Christian conservatives.

Just saying…

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:59pm
  I essence, you are correct, but you fail to see that Our LORD(YHVH) is in control and has NOT forsaken us. This period of time is the “winnowing”….separating the wheat from the chaff. There is only ONE kind of wheat, but there are innumerable types of chaff. There are dissemblers, un-believers, slavers, slaves, killers, liars, and, even some “patriots” fit the description. Choose a side…live or die.
  
  Report this comment
- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:44pm
  Bah Rahk is hoping for insurrection, civil war, so he can imprison all RIGHT thinking individuals. He pushes, pushes, and pushes. He believes the military is in his pocket…..we will find out.
  
  Report this comment
- DAYWATCHER
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:57pm
  Max….
  
  I am with you. I am a Christian and I know that everything happens according to HIS plan. I’m just saying don’t be surprised if a W.M.D. is used with O-bozo’s blessings.
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:58pm
  Hon, Republicans create the phony crisises
  Wasting Billions and getting our crediting rating lowered.
  Do you folks do ANY reading?
  
  Moodys even CITED the Republicans for the reason.
  
  Report this comment
- DAYWATCHER
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:52pm
  VERCE…
  
  Yes, I do read…I just don’t read and believe the LEFT WING communist propaganda sites and rags that you do. I have read all of your post on this article and you have not be correct once…. Keep on Trolling….
  
  HEY MONK>>> CHECK OUT VERCEOFREASON………TROLL…. OR NO…… I THOUGHT SO !!!
  
  Report this comment
pahrumper
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:36pm
It is about time someone that speaks and has people paying attention to them on this Obummer guy,,,,,,,Obummer is nuts and the blind followers are letting it happen including the prostitute press (MSM) ***** is no better if he lets it happen what the hell is going on with this government today, and how the hell do we the people stop it in its tracks NOW!

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:52pm
  According to scripture it must run its full realization. Ready?
  
  Report this comment
barber2
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:35pm
Just think how clever the international Left, who droned Obama on America , has been : He has rekindled racial unrest by playing the Race Card continually, turned his base against ” the rich who don’t pay their fair share,” smeared the Tea Party as racists, ridiculed congress and the SCOTUS, made endless MSM appearances, and has established the Executive Order tactic to enforced his agenda without the approval of congress. The international Left has their man in our White House and the Race Card up his sleeve ….

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:15pm
  Don’t forget that evil never sleeps, and the evil that has overtaken the world has been in the game continually, supernaturally, For the last 6,000 years. Waiting for the time when mass media would give the offspring of Cain, the opportunity to lift satan up as the Messiah. I read the script….and I know how the play ends. There will be no curtain call. All glory to YHVH, our Lord.
  
  Report this comment
ImmigrantfromSocialism
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:34pm
Socialists ALWAYS Have EMERGENCIES….ONLY Way to convince the masses that the Premier and the Politburo are looking out for your best interests…and PRAVDA will accommodate and facilitate the PARTY line.
Native born Americans are being used as lemmings and I am very sad because I KNOW the Socialists don’t care about America or Americans.
VOTE 2014 to STOP the Socialists from TAKING the future away from your kids and grandkids
Thank yo

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:19pm
  Things will NEVER be the same as they were. We will come out of this with a completely NEW paradigm. Each of us, no matter where we fit into the scenario, will be spiritually schooled and edified.
  
  Report this comment
Gold4u
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:26pm
Here is a novel idea: rather then shutting down segments of the government, reduce government employees’ pay!

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:29pm
  GOLDY….I was going to commend you on you wise post….but, I got the giggles and couldn’t write anything.
  
  Report this comment
woodyee
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:21pm
You KNOW you’re in trouble, when a HERO of The Left, calls their Dear Leader a madman…

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jrcess
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:10pm
Obama needs to go. Time to impeach!!

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- barber2
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:23pm
  The entire Chicago radical crowd needs to go – just like Jesse, Jr. They all need stints in prison and in mental health facilities.
  
  Report this comment
- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:25pm
  BARBER….No truer words were ever written on this site, but, Its been obvious for several years…..He will continue to be the smuck that thinks he is invulnerable, and that WILL be his waterloo. Keep watchin’, watchers.
  
  Report this comment
Nanaswords
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:02pm
After the last election results…”Phony”… Is there ANY Agenda that will surprise me with our current history…NOT !!! Watch the phony self-proclaimed leaders…really show their principles and character !!! Future history is moving in…faster…each day !!!

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ColoradoMaverick
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:52pm
What’s up with Obama?? Did anyone with at least half a working brain think he would do anything differently than he is? Wake up America!!

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The_Woofster
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:50pm
Imagine this, In the voice of der’ leader:

Make no mistake, let me be clear…

If sequester occurs….

Planes will fall from the sky, onto daycare centers
Bridges will collapse, onto busses full of school children
Submarines will sink
Milk will go sour
Days will be shorter, nights…longer.
Rivers will rise, flood, and then go dry.
Women will be killed, raped and then tortured.
Earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis will wipe out middle America..where the guns are.
Wheels will come off cars, the big ones, not the hybrids.
Guns will discharge without warning, killing innocent gangsters
The nuclear arsenal will simultaneously detonate
Oceans will dry up.
32 oz soft drinks will rain from the sky, onto pillows of transfat
Paint, will never dry, ever.
Cats will bark, Dogs will meow…and then be eaten
Batteries in your hybrids will die, and the Obama sticker in the glove box will not stick.
Television will be in black and gray….not white
Gas stations will autoignite, causing more climate change.
Ford will sell more cars and trucks than GM
The constellations will change….no more big dipper.
Carney will grow hair on his balls, but will still play with his tinker toys
Egypt will get tanks and planes…
I’ll get another peace prize, and elected for a third term.

Make no mistake….

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- Nanaswords
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:06pm
  Can we all add the Comment…”Blackmail-Fear-Intimidation…what agenda is this an off-shoot from !!!
  
  Report this comment
- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:33pm
  NANA…..The King of Tyrus….?
  
  Report this comment
MiCurmudgeon
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:35pm
Someday the networks will realize that journalism is the business they are in and actually reporting news instead of copying People magazine is required to attract followers of their reporting. At least that is my hope.

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:03pm
  Does anybody really care? anyone?
  
  Report this comment
frogg
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:31pm
Obama was born a Liar and will die a Liar! That’s one heck of a way to be remembered. The worse President in the history of the United State!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Want to hear more of his lies??? Check out http://www.rescueourconstitution.com/

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:38pm
  Bah Rahk…..In Hebrew, means lightning from the sky……In the pres’s case it is a made up name….like J ZEE, or L L cool J. Street creds, and all that, dontcha know.
  
  Report this comment
- katzkiner
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:22pm
  Max: The media missed the significance of the name change in 2008. Excert from “Message to the Black Man” by the Honorable Elijah Mohammad. The black man converting to Black Muslim should throw off the name his slave master gave him and take a name of his Black Muslim ancestors. Maliek Zulu Shabazz, Faireycon, Shamir Shabazz, Barack Hussein Obama. If you’d read the book, you’d understand you white devil. Your time to rule is over. The last generation of white kids have been born, ect, etc.
  
  Report this comment
iamnotu
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:29pm
It’s about time someone from alter media outlets actually started doing thier job. It’s tough to read any newspaper or watch any national news channels when all they want to do is report gossip and hollywood crap.
Where have all the real investigative reporters like this guy? All anyone does now is just parett whatever thier told to say by the blackhouse.

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:07pm
  I get my “news” from people like you…….after reading your post there, I know another thinking person is getting hipper. That’s good news, eh?
  
  Report this comment
wilbstal
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:15pm
Bob, what part aboput Impeachement dont you want??/ Get on the stick Obama is a Communist Crook get him out

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Micmac
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:14pm
Woodward has to be on the side of truth to keep his legacy in place.

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:50pm
  That’s to his credit. We will see what’s most important to him. If he remains adamant….he’ll end up like breitbart.> {+_+}
Gracchi
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:10pm
IMPEACHMENT!

“Not but that crimes of a strictly legal character fall within the scope of the power. . .; but that it has a more enlarged operation, and reaches, what are aptly termed political offenses, growing out of personal misconduct, or gross neglect, or usurpation, or habitual disregard of the public interest in the discharge of the duties of political office. These are so various in their character, and so indefinable in their actual involutions, that it is almost impossible to provide systematically for them by positive law.”

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MrKnowItAll
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:08pm
Now every time I see a main Steam Media clip. I want to read the un-doctored Transcripts.

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8jrts
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:07pm
Ol’ Bob better learn to duck an roll…..There’s a drone coming his way.

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Bernard Gui
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:05pm
Why is anyone surprised? The goal is to sow confusion and suspicion to create apathy.
They are right on target.

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:56pm
  Why? Could it be to P**S as many people off as possible? Well, Maybe.
  
  Report this comment
TheRimGreapor
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:02pm
C’mon BOB – why not dust off the IBM Selectric and do some EASY WORK. This is all low hanging fruit the left wing media refuses to report on – to what end? We need JOURNALISTS not OBAMA SHILLS. Benghazi – Fast and Furious – how about ALL OF OUR MONEY BEING SPENT ON VACATIONS? I haven’t had a vacation in over 4 years – not entirely Obama’s fault but if times were better – and they could be if he would stop with all the regulations – I might get a rest. I had Stage 3 Throat Cancer – just finished Radiation and Chemo last Friday and I missed ZERO days at work.
Yea I need a vacation, rest but I can’t afford one. Maybe next year…

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:23pm
  THGRIMREAPOR……Sorry about your illness, and wish you the best. And I commend you on your strength of character, and your perseverance……..But, the point you brought up, IS small potatoes.(I know that right now, with your med bills, it seems a travesty.)……The actual problems are pervasive
  and systemic, to which your probs and mine are totally ancillary. We are battling for the “mortal” souls of men…..Including our own. You did know there are “mortal”souls-liable to die’-souls, didn’t you?.
  I’m sure you are a survivor….you’re proving it.
  
  Report this comment
chingachgook
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 12:00pm
after listening to these lefties for 40 years I have come not to trust them. Why do you think that is? They have ignored the death of four Americans in Benghazi but now they turn ion obama? Ya Right! You might think that only the people on the front lines are at risk but the truth is that all of us are at risk now.

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 2:59pm
  OH YEAH……We’re ready, they are not. Ha ha!
  
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The Big Mick
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 11:56am
Now THIS is an EPIPHANY!

For Four Years I thought Pharaoh BO was the Red/Black Jimmy Carter!

Now I see he is TRICKY DICK!

“That’s guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty!”

[100 point on The Big Mick "Name that Classic Allusion" Scoring List if you can ID that quote]

Can you say: “Unindicted Co-Conspirator”?

Go Woody, Go Woody, getcha DeepThroat, Go Woody!

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 3:37pm
  Don’t need no deep-throat, Its all black and white
  Only courage can bring, the lies to the light….. and…
  I have a sword, …..
  ….in the hand of my LORD.
  
  Report this comment
malbro
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 11:49am
Some day, soon I hope,he will pull the wrong string in the media……………..

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truthnstuff
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 11:44am
Hey Bob, where have you been for the last 6-7 years. Will a moment of fame override Bob’s ideology? Will Bob be discredited and then given awards for previous journalistic competence? Or, will b=Bob be disallowed from being on media?

Only the POSOTUS knows.

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- barber2
  Posted on February 27, 2013 at 1:25pm
  TRUTH: But we know what the Democrat Media Character Assassination Squad does to any one who dares to oppose the Chicago crowd in the White House : Ready. Aim. Fire .
  
  Report this comment

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