Bush Campaign Embraces Bob Woodward's Book Amid Controversy

Strategic Insights -

The Bush campaign has mysteriously welcomed Bob Woodward's book "Plan of Attack" as a top suggested reading, despite the book portraying President Bush as pushing for war with Iraq. The move has left skeptics wondering about the campaign's motives, with some believing it's a deliberate attempt to downplay the book's critical content. According to Republican sources, the decision was driven by Karl Rove's assessment that the book's portrayal of the president as decisive and engaged would aid in his re-election bid.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bush campaign placed Bob Woodward's book "Plan of Attack" as their top suggested reading, despite the book's critical content.
  • The decision was influenced by Karl Rove's belief that the book would portray President Bush as decisive and engaged, aiding his re-election bid.
  • The campaign is taking a "cherry bomb" approach, engaging in disinformation by placing a positive spin on the book's content.
  • The book portrays President Bush as the central decision-maker, who overruled objections from his staff and questioned his CIA director, George J. Tenet.
  • Vice President Cheney is depicted as deferential and even falling asleep at a Pentagon briefing in the book.
  • The Bush campaign had a strategy session several weeks ago to game out their response to the book, acknowledging that they had no choice but to embrace it due to President Bush's extensive interviews with Woodward.
  • The campaign's response has been compared to advice given to clients about handling tough questions in debates, where they "act like it's an innocent question, brush it off, smile and move on."

Statistics:

  • $700 million: The amount of money allegedly diverted from antiterrorism efforts to prepare for an invasion of Iraq, as per the book's assertion.
  • 3.5 hours: The duration of the extensive interviews given by President Bush to Bob Woodward.
  • 10 minutes: The time period covered by the Bush memoir "Ten Minutes From Normal" by Karen P. Hughes.

Sources:

  • Bob Woodward, "Plan of Attack"
  • The Washington Post
  • White House spokesperson Terry Holt
  • Rich Bond, former chairman of the Republican National Committee
  • David Doak, Democratic political consultant
  • "Against All Enemies" by Richard A. Clarke
  • "Ten Minutes From Normal" by Karen P. Hughes