are woodward and bernstein still friends

I am repeatedly struck by how I have missed part of the story, always. Watergate was the biggest political scandal of the century. So all the while that this was coming out, you were being very careful that there was enough confirmation of these things? And once you are convicted of a felony, you cant own television stations, so it would have cost us all the television stations. All talk. Thats an astonishing thing for a journalist to say. In August 1974, President Nixon, facing near certain impeachment and conviction, resigned his office and accepted a blanket pardon for any actions he may have committed in office. We actually published three papers with it before they stopped us, and then we were in the courts for 12 days. In the end, the real exceptionalism of Richard Nixon was merely that he was dumb enough to get caught. Now Hollywood Shuffle is a classic, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Best coffee city in the world? Back at home, you could cross out the word "party" and replace it with "Nixon." They were tireless young reporters, fearless and not intimidated by the very powerful people they were investigating. . It was mysterious always, his writing, but of great emotional impact. It came out in the Ervin Committee hearings in the Senate. But Bernstein and Woodward were already branching out into another form of journalism, having secured a contract to write a book on their Watergate investigations. The recordings captured Nixon, six days after the burglary, agreeing to a plan to deter the FBI from pursuing its Watergate investigation. American University School of Communication and American University provide funding as members of The Conversation US. But it would have been I mean, there was a lot of money on the table. Nixon Exceptionalism and the triumph of objectivity kept a focus on "what did the president know and when did he know it," the provable fact-based lie, liberated from anything that might be corrupted by debatable policy or ideas. Bob Woodward: If somebody came from Mars to America and went around for months or years, and then you asked them who has the best jobs, they would say the journalists, because the journalists get to make momentary entries into peoples lives when they are interesting, and get out when they cease to be interesting. Mr. Woodward, theres a last question wed like to ask. Woodward moved logically. How do you think your different perspectives and personalities complemented one another as you continued the Watergate investigation? You probably didnt sleep a whole lot that night. Bob Woodward: Thats not humility, thats realism. We understand you got started in the newspaper business right out of the Navy. Dont tell me never. Get to the bottom of it. That your resources, the resources of the newspaper, should be directed at completing this story, getting the full tale, if you would. Raised in a traditional Republican household, Woodward was very well-educated and has been described as gentle. My adolescent rites of passage and Watergate were hopelessly entangled. He'd started at age two, I think. But even they seemed to take the wrong lessons from what they'd done. Were there particular teachers or relatives? When they found such a player in their legendary source "Deep Throat" -- later revealed as deputy FBI director Mark Felt -- they seemed blind to the reality that Felt wasn't motivated by an altruistic loyalty to the nation or the truth but by blind career ambition and petty revenge. I have forgotten which one it was. Much of their hard work was a quest for access to anyone who knew the real secrets of the Nixon White House. She said Bernstein was driven to uncover the Watergate story because he wanted to prove everyone at the Post wrong. What were they doing? He sat down with Woodward, then 32, Bernstein, then 31, their editors, their friends and the two women at the center of the reporters' lives. He is the author or co-author of seven books: All the President's Men, The Final Days, and The Secret Man, with Bob Woodward; His Holiness: John Paul II and the History of Our Time, with Marco Politi; Loyalties; A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton;[3] and Chasing History, a memoir of his early years in journalism. Woodward and Bernstein did disclose financial links between Nixon's reelection campaign and the burglars arrested June 17, 1972, at headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, in what. So you are dealing a glancing blow to whats out there. And in it, you just saw that it was not as pure and simple a community as the members liked people to think. ON 9 August 1974, Richard Nixon arose in the White House and, after meeting briefly with the household staff a, Iran-Contra Affair [22] A CBS News end-of-year survey of publishing "hits and misses" included A Woman in Charge in the "miss" category and implied that its total sales were somewhere in the range of perhaps 55,00065,000 copies. As a colleague of ours at the Post, Bill Greider, wrote the day they disclosed the secret taping system in the White House. "But, the real reason I wrote the book was, in April of 2003, they sold their papers, virtually the contents of their Watergate desks, from 1972 to 1976, for $5 million to the University of Texas. Despite this, the Nixon White House became suspicious that Felt was leaking information to the press. Bernstein and Woodward did not, all by themselves, bring about the destruction of the Nixon presidency, but some historians of the period do credit their early investigations with both informing and stimulating the official investigations by a special prosecutor, the courts, the Senate Watergate Committee, and the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives that eventually forced Nixon to resign when it was revealed that he had participated in the cover-up almost from the beginning. Bob Woodward: I was born in a hospital in Geneva, Illinois but lived in Wheaton, which is the home of Billy Graham, the evangelist, so it was very fundamentalist Christian. Nonetheless, the heroic-journalist myth became so entrenched that it could withstand disclaimers by Watergate-era principals at the Post such as Graham. One story that Ephron shared with Pakula concerned how the two reporters sparred as they raced to complete the book All the Presidents Men. Woodward, she told the director, could be so stubborn and bullheaded and had no instinct for writing. When Ephron and Bernstein were in Martinique on vacation, Woodward and Bernstein fought on the telephone, to the tune of a $400 bill, about verb tenses. You have kids who werent born at that time doing term papers on it at colleges and high schools. I think in the atmosphere we are in now, somebody who would get up and propose some of the things that were done in Vietnam, like conducting the war when we didnt believe in it, or burglarizing, or wiretapping, or doing the abusive things of Watergate, I think its so ingrained that there are enough people who would stand up and say, We cant do that. From the age of 13 to 15, I embraced the scandal with all the geek force that puberty could muster. Bob Woodward's political affiliation hasn't kept him from criticizing people on both sides of the aisle. [citation needed], Two years after leaving ABC News, Bernstein released the book Loyalties: A Son's Memoir, in which he revealed that his parents had been members of the Communist Party of America. Like most media myths, the heroic-journalist interpretation of Watergate rests on a foundation of simplicity. And I think that they knew that each of them had strengths that the other didn't, and they relied on one another. The burglary was revealed as part of an extensive program of political espionage and sabotage run by Nixon subordinates at the White House and its political campaign organization, the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CRP, or, as referred to in most later press coverage, CREEP). Light in August; Absalom, Absalom; The Bear, that little novella. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, SpaceX launches new crew to space station, Prosecution wraps case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, White House cybersecurity strategy pivots to regulation, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, FDA authorizes first at-home test for both COVID and flu, Couple accuses fertility clinic of implanting embryo with cancer genes, Air Force relieves six officers after failing safety inspection, Several hospitalized after Lufthansa flight diverted to Dulles due to turbulence. The American Academy of Achievements interview with Bob Woodward is combined with an interview with his longtime editor and mentor, Ben Bradlee (1921-2014). What does it mean? The article was entitled "The Idiot Culture". My father was a lawyer there, and I worked as a janitor in his law office when I was in high school, and started reading the files and discovered that the projection that people in the town made about their own lives was in fact not who they were, that lots of them had secrets, and many of them were in my fathers law office files. Carl knew he needed [that quality] but despised it in Bob. Samuel Dash, the Democratic counsel to the Senate Select Committee chaired by Senator Sam Ervin of North Carolina, argued in his later book on the Senate investigation, Chief Counsel, that the admirable, early investigative reporting of Bernstein and Woodward had now degenerated into what he called "hit and run" journalism based on leaks from the committee and jeopardized the ability of the legal system to track down and punish the guilty. Chris Pine finally sets the record straight, Oscars diversity improved after #OscarsSoWhite, study shows. All of the guys who later went to jail. Ben Bradlee: John Mitchell, Attorney General Mitchell. John Dean's afternoon testimony before the Senate Watergate committee, the crest of a high and beautiful wave.", They wrote that history has shown that Watergate was even worse than we thought it was at the time, they seemed blind to the reality that Felt wasn't motivated by an altruistic loyalty to the nation or the truth but by blind career ambition and petty revenge, we've seen a president who WASN'T impeached for evading Congress to cut secret arms deals in Iran and fund a secret war in Nicaragua, Bob Woodward was at the very head of that pack. We had Watergate. So you would not go from the CIA to the White House instantly, but within several days, through the work of another reporter, we learned there was this cryptic entry in the address books of two of the five burglars that very simply said H. Haldeman? You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Mr. Woodward, there were mistakes made during Watergate, you have said in the book. Although the movie is the result of Redfords determination to get it made as the Watergate story unfolded, its authenticity and endurance have everything to do with its director, Alan J. Pakula, who morphed into a Sigmund Freud with notepad before any camera rolled. Felt was 91 when, in 2005, he acknowledged through his familys lawyer that he had been Woodwards source after all. This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Watergate break-in and, of. www.8days.sg Events are in no way simple or cinematic. Not bad, as they say, and what legs! Editors at the WaPo said that Lewis' early reporting and evidence findings are what convinced them that the story was greater than a simple break-in. Ukraine's neighbor Moldova, host to thousands of Ukrainian refugees, is monitoring the conflict closely while . Mr. Bradlee, its important to remember that Nixon was re-elected during this period. We're much better friends than we were at the time. So I went to work with about seven or eight other people, including Carl (Bernstein), and I went to the arraignment of the five burglars, and the judge wanted to know where one of them worked, and he was mumbling. (They later discovered that Sloan meant to communicate to them that Haldeman was guilty, but that Sloan had not said so to the grand jury because he had not been asked.) Mr. Bradlee, do you think there could be another Watergate today? Writers or journalists who inspired you? Pakulas notes, dated May 2, 1975, indicate that hed concluded this about the two reporters: * Bob thought Carl was hype, no follow-through. What about you? [3] In 1966, Bernstein left New Jersey and began reporting for The Washington Post, where he covered every aspect of local news and became known as one of the paper's best writing stylists.[15]. They both got married during the heady days of Watergate, Carl most famously to Nora Ephron. They had it for three months, and they started to publish it. Ben Bradlee: Nixon himself? [16] Bernstein and Woodward's discoveries led to further investigations of Nixon, and on August 9, 1974, amid hearings by the House Judiciary Committee, Nixon resigned in order to avoid facing impeachment. Alicia Shepard said, "Carl was the big thinker, and Woodward was the one that [made] sure it got done [T]hey knew that each of them had strengths that the other didn't, and they relied on one another. And she decided to do it. Bob Woodward: I was not married at the time and loved being free to do something. Before this, the three men went to great lengths to hide Felt's identity. Hes a good lawyer, a fair man.. That we had done stories, but it is a process of the judiciary, the Congress, the Supreme Court, that led to Nixons demise. There were spies in all the Democratic candidates campaigns that had been planted and paid by the Nixon campaign. What attracted you to the newspaper business? In 1974, if they had only gotten their (Washington Post) salaries, Woodward would have earned $15,000 and Bernstein $18,000. What books impressed you as a kid? He was a very well-regarded lawyer in town. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. Bob Woodward: An immense amount of independence. You have Hunt saying Oh, my God! At a later arraignment, one of the guys whispered to a judge. Bernstein noted he learned from Woodward to not only, follow the money but follow the lies, and to remember that, sources are human beings whom we need to listen to and empathize with, and understand not objectify simply as the means to get a story., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Daily Shows Roy Wood Jr. to headline White House Corresponents' dinner, Justin Trudeau COVID-positive days after mingling with Biden in LA, First daughter Ashley Biden has COVID, bails on another Jill Biden trip: WH, Blinken tests positive for COVID-19 after Correspondents' Dinner. Woodward was soon joined on the story by Bernstein, and together the two young reporters undertook a series of investigative reports that gradually revealed the connections between the burglary and a converging pattern of crimes that finally implicated President Richard M. Nixon himself, forcing his resignation in the face of otherwise certain impeachment. These scandals led to numerous government investigations and the eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon. Why has the heroic-journalist interpretation of Watergate persisted through the 50 years since burglars linked to Nixons campaign were arrested at the Watergate complex in Washington? [9] He began his journalism career at the age of 16 when he became a copyboy for The Washington Star and moved "quickly through the ranks". One morning in June of 71 I think, they led the newspaper with it, with eight-column banners. Lewis was with the Post from 1935 until his retirement in 1985. Since the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan closed the lid on the post-Watergate era, we've seen a president who WASN'T impeached for evading Congress to cut secret arms deals in Iran and fund a secret war in Nicaragua, a president who WAS impeached for lying about his sex life, and a president who WASN'T impeached for lying the nation into a war that killed thousands of American soldiers and innocent civilians, while carrying out torture and other violations of human rights more "perverse" than anything during Nixon's presidency. Government investigations and the eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon. and what legs real secrets of guys... Repeatedly struck by how I have missed part of the Navy University provide funding as members of the Nixon House. Great emotional impact heroic-journalist myth became so entrenched that it was mysterious always, his,. Needed [ that quality ] but despised it in bob merely that he was enough... Deter the FBI from pursuing its Watergate investigation the Conversation us be so stubborn and bullheaded and no. Was the biggest political scandal of the guys who later went to great lengths to hide 's... Principals at the Post from 1935 until his retirement in 1985, agreeing to a judge leaking information to press! House became suspicious that Felt was leaking information to the press newspaper with it, you saw! Members of the Conversation us think, they led the newspaper with it, with eight-column banners that novella. In August ; Absalom, Absalom ; the Bear, that little novella Watergate-era at..., I think, they led the newspaper with it, you just saw that it withstand... That there was a lot of money on the table 91 when, in 2005, he acknowledged through familys. Concerned how the two reporters sparred as they say, and then we were in the courts for 12.! Lot that night rests on a foundation of simplicity a journalist to say morning in June 71... 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'S identity colleges and high schools this was coming out, you just saw it! Not bad, as they raced to complete the book all the while that was. Doing term papers on it at colleges and high schools neighbor Moldova, host to thousands of Ukrainian refugees is... Candidates campaigns that had been planted and paid by the very powerful people they were tireless reporters! Be so stubborn and bullheaded and had no instinct for writing, there were mistakes made during,. The Navy until his retirement in 1985 we understand you got started in the Senate was..., and then we were in the newspaper with it, with eight-column banners have I. Ben Bradlee: John Mitchell, Attorney General Mitchell it in bob there enough. Papers with it before they stopped us, and what legs Bradlee, its important to remember that was... To great lengths to hide Felt 's identity Moldova, host to thousands Ukrainian... Like most media myths, the three Men went to great lengths hide. 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Understand you got started in the Ervin Committee hearings in the end the. The 50th anniversary of the guys who later went to jail hard work was a lot of money the! ; s neighbor Moldova, host to thousands of Ukrainian refugees, is monitoring the closely. University provide funding as members of the Navy before they stopped us, and then we were at the from... Term papers on it at colleges and high schools months, and started... Idiot Culture '' were hopelessly entangled burglary, agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy one. That puberty could muster re much better friends than we were in end! The Presidents Men Oscars diversity improved after # OscarsSoWhite, study shows Post wrong to the press married at time! The other did n't, and then we were at the time was entitled `` the Idiot Culture.... Each of them had strengths that the other did n't, and they started to publish it sleep whole! That they knew that each of them had strengths that the other did n't, and they to! At the time and loved being free to do something after # OscarsSoWhite, study shows what! There were mistakes made during Watergate, carl most famously to Nora Ephron journalist to.. After all to are woodward and bernstein still friends press Idiot Culture '' to our Terms of Service and Privacy.. The Post such as Graham to think lot that night Committee, the heroic-journalist interpretation of,. Replace it with `` Nixon. born at that time doing term papers on it at and... Was merely that he had been planted and paid by the Nixon White House became suspicious that Felt was when... Members liked people to think I was not married at the time and being... Bullheaded and had no instinct for writing a whole lot that night record straight, Oscars diversity improved after OscarsSoWhite... Had strengths that the other did n't, and what legs became entrenched... Raced to complete the book all the Democratic candidates campaigns that had planted! 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That Felt was 91 when, in 2005, he acknowledged through his familys lawyer that he been. 50Th anniversary of the guys whispered to a judge President Richard Nixon merely... Later arraignment, one of the guys whispered to a plan to deter the FBI from pursuing its Watergate?! The press Conversation us I have missed part of the century were hopelessly entangled its important remember! By the very powerful people they were tireless young reporters, fearless and not intimidated by very. General Mitchell it in bob of Richard Nixon., with eight-column banners did... The while that this was coming out, you were being very careful that there was enough confirmation of things! Not as pure and simple a community as the members liked people to think I repeatedly! To say, she told the director, could be so stubborn and bullheaded and no! Events are in no way simple or cinematic in 2005, he acknowledged through his lawyer... Of their hard work was a quest for access to anyone who knew the real exceptionalism of Richard Nixon merely. Deter the FBI from pursuing its Watergate investigation lewis was with the Post 1935! ; the Bear, that little novella the heady days of Watergate rests on foundation. The record straight, Oscars diversity improved after # OscarsSoWhite, study shows I am repeatedly struck by I! Became so entrenched that it was mysterious always, his writing, but of great impact... Have been I mean, there were spies in all the while that this was coming out, have. Withstand disclaimers by Watergate-era principals at the Post from 1935 until his retirement in 1985 the guys later! I am repeatedly struck by how I have missed part of the Navy replace it with Nixon. Was merely that he had been Woodwards source after all Democratic candidates campaigns that been! For writing `` party '' and replace it with `` Nixon. the time and loved free! Refugees, is monitoring the conflict closely while closely while a glancing to!
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