Bob Woodward: Bush Misleads On Iraq

Tells 60 Minutes About His Book 'State Of Denial'

(CBS)  John Negorponte knows it’s worse. He’s the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, and according to Woodward, Negroponte thinks the U.S. policy in Iraq is in trouble – that violence is now so widespread that the U.S. doesn’t even know about much of it; and that the killings will continue to escalate.

"He was the ambassador there in Iraq and now he sees all the intelligence," Woodward says. "I report he believes that we’ve always going almost back to the beginning, miscalculated and underestimated the nature of the insurgency."

Why?

"There’s this feeling, 'How can a bunch guys running around putting improvised explosive devices in dead animals and by the side of the road in cars, cause all this trouble," Woodward says.

Woodward reports that a top general says Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has so emasculated the joint chiefs that the chairman of the chiefs has become “the parrot on Rumsfeld’s shoulder.”

And, according to Woodward, another key general, John Abizaid, who’s in charge of the whole Gulf region, told friends that on Iraq, Rumsfeld has lost all credibility.

"What does that mean, he doesn’t have any credibility anymore?" Wallace asks.

"That means that he cannot go public and articulate what the strategy is. Now, this is so important they decide," Woodward explains. "The Secretary of State Rice will announce what the strategy is. This is October of last year." She told Congress the U.S. strategy in Iraq is "clear, hold and build."

"Rumsfeld sees this and goes ballistic and says, 'Now wait a minute. That’s not our strategy. We want to get the Iraqis to do these things.' Well it turns out George Bush and the White House liked this definition of the strategy so it’s in a presidential speech he’s gonna give the next month," Woodward tells Wallace. "Rumsfeld sees it. He calls Andy Card, the White House chief of staff and says 'Take it out. Take it out. That’s not our strategy. We can’t do that.' Card says it’s the core of what we’re doing. That’s two and a half years after the invasion of Iraq. They cannot agree on the definition of the strategy. They cannot agree on the bumper sticker."

"General John Abizaid, commander of all U.S. forces in the Middle East, you quote him as saying privately a year ago that the U.S. should start cutting its troops in Iraq. You report that he told some close Army friends, quote, 'We’ve gotta get the f out.' And then this past March, General Abizaid visited Congressman John Murtha on Capitol Hill," Wallace says.

"John Murtha is in many ways the soul and the conscience of the military," Woodward replies. "And he came out and said, 'We need to get out of Iraq as soon as it’s practical' and that sent a 10,000 volt jolt through the White House."

"Here’s Mr. Military saying, 'We need to get out,'" Woodward continues. "And John Abizaid went to see him privately. This is Bush’s and Rumsfeld’s commander in Iraq," Woodward says.

"And John Abizaid held up his fingers, according to Murtha, and said, 'We’re about a quarter of an inch apart, said, 'We’re that far apart,'" Woodward says.

"You report that after George W. Bush was reelected, his chief of staff, Andy Card, tried for months to convince the president to fire Don Rumsfeld. Why?" Wallace asks.

"To replace him. Because it wasn’t working. Card felt very strongly that the president needed a whole new national security team," Woodward says.

"You write Laura Bush was worried that Rumsfeld was hurting her husband. Andy Card told her the president seemed happy with Rumsfeld. And the first lady replied, quote, 'He’s happy with this but I’m not.' And later she said, 'I don’t know why he’s not upset,'" Wallace remarks.

"What’s interesting, Andy Card, as White House chief of staff every six weeks set up a one on one meeting with Laura Bush. Set aside an hour and a half to talk about what’s going on, what are the president’s anxieties? Smart meeting," Woodward explains. "And in the course of these sessions the problem with Rumsfeld came up. And she voiced her concern about the situation."

But Dick Cheney wanted Rumsfeld to stay. Why?

"Well, Rumsfeld’s his guy," Woodward says. "And Cheney confided to an aid that if Rumsfeld goes, next they’ll be after Cheney."

[drgoodwin12]

to getreal have you not insulted just about everyone here?the statements posted below are copies of your post.

[drgoodwin12]

to get real more of your comments First of all Excalibur 18, learn to articulate your ENGLISH! Your sentences are outrages and not proper. Before you go on this column, make sure you know how to write properly. You see, this is the type of people that think they know all the answers. Losers! Get real and Get a life! Loser Dorks who have nothing better to do with their lives ACT like they are the RIGHT INFORMANTS in the political life. All of you should run for President since you think you know how to handle this world the right way. God help us all!

[drgoodwin12]

to getreal Yeah!!!! Let's get Bush impeached!! YEAH! We losers who do nothing but sit in front of the cbsnews opinion page have all the answers to solve this blame game. MORONS!,more of your solutions

[drgoodwin12]

To getreal where have I insulted you by incuinating that you are a rovette,an anarchist or that you have been in hibernation?Those are not insults they are only a mirror to hold up to your face.If you are a rovette so be it, or an anarchist. If you have been in hibernation for the last 6 years so what so has most of the country.Those are not insults and I am still waiting for you to post a solution to the U.S. problems.Even if they are not plausible they are better than rhetoric.

[johnnnn1]

rsinghmd
I couldnt agree more, and it's evident in his speech and behaviour. I recall the interview with Tim Russet and then again with Wolf Blitzer, there was this disenjenous effort to convince anyone that he and only he is right in this fight against terror. Make note and look in his eyes when he delivers his speeches, there is this determination. Rent the movie The Caine Mutiny and ask if there are similarirties.

[rsingmd]

I am a Psychiatrist for 20 Yrs and have worked with Substance Abuse Disorder, including Alcoholism. There is a saying in the field of Alcoholism"Once an Alcoholic Always an Alcoholic".An Alcoholic may stop drinking alcohol but the behaviors associated with the disease continues, specialy the "DENIAL" which is the paramount symptom of the disease.It is easier to be clean but very hard to be SOBER,that is free of the behaviors.From the beginning President Bush has shown clear and consistent Alcoholic behavior and because of his disease he will continue to to use denial in many areas of his life,including the War and the State of the State.

[falcore1]

"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror." --George W. Bush,
We're here,we're here, we're here because we're here...

[clevenjones]

The president and vice president say one of the reasons they know they are winning the war on terror is because the terroists have not attacked in the U.S. since 911. The terrorists know they do not have to attack here because they attack the U.S. period in Iraq. They have also stepped up in afganistan. However, there is a rear flank terrorists attack on the U.S. They know the citizenry have grown weary of this war based on the proven deceit that got us in it. They will keep it up. We should not let our arrogance keep us there. Because we wear the red A (America) on our chest does not mean we should "stay the course." We should institute the plan of phased withdrawal immediately. The Iraquis will figure it out. They are not a stupid people. Our stupidity is the laughing stock of the world. We have a lot of work to do to restore credibility.

[shabab_cc]

Iraq War is a big mistake. The whole world knows it and so do the Bush Administration. It doesn't matter if somebody is reluctant to admit it. The fact is... it was a big mistake and a major disaster. It just made our world much worse and unsafe. The War started under the pretext of WMD, then is got shifted to freedom for Iraqi's from Saddam, and now it became a fight against terror or even justified as fighting against Al Qaeda.
The focus Shifted from WMD, because the US couldn't find any, Shifted from Iraqi's freedom because the Iraq is worse than Hell.
The focus and the strategy keeps shifting, because the US doesn't know why they are in Iraq and what they are doing and whom they are fighting.

[drgoodwin12]

To Raymond Howard Carlson your email address does not work,so what else beside what you have posted here do you have to say.To getreal your insults and banter remind one of of a rovette or a anarchist which is just as as bad.Offer solutions or intelligent dialogue,otherwise go back to hibernation,something you obviously have been in for the last 6 years.When the intel agencies and the pentagon both suggest and are currently training individuals for determent of terrorist recruitment that reinforces what I have calling for,for almost 3 years.

[johnnnn1]

Let the sheep choose their sheppard they will choose the wolf every time. WTG rednecks.

[jreil]

getreal

I understand your anger and why you see the world as hopeless, and why you feel need to lash out at others. It's OK.

So how long were you a page for Rep. Foley?

[rayhc]

My full name: Raymond Howard Carlson

My E-Mail: [e-mail]

This letter is also concerning articles on Ms. Rice (SECRETARY OF STATE).

Concerning the current situation in the "MIDDLE EAST", The United States, unfotrtunately, should send more troops to secure the region! The United States should NOT have invaded IRAQ!

Concerning Afghanistan, The United States should consult the other major players on the block (Russia, China, and The European Union).

The United States MUST stay out of IRAN! An invasion will ****-off the other major players on the block (Russia, China, and the European Union). In the interim, The United States should have negotiations with Russia, China, and The European Union!

CONTACT ME! Thank You.

[rayhc]

My full name: Raymond Howard Carlson

My E-Mail: [e-mail]

BIBLE STUDY:

Get your BIBLE and turn to the BOOK OF REVALATIONS chapters 17 and 18. The correct interpretation:

The %u201CWHORE%u201D: The United States

The %u201CBEAST%u201D: The powers of darkness in general

The %u201C SEVEN MOUNTAINS %u201D: The Roman Empire
Therefore, darkness shall spring forth from the Roman Empire !
KEY: Go to the BOOK OF DANIEL. There is mention of dream and a %u201CSTATUTE%u201D (head of gold, etc.). The %u201CSTATUTE%u201D is the KEY!!!!!!!!!!!! There are %u201CSEVEN%u201D KINGDOMS" mentioned according to the %u201CSTATUTE%u201D!

The %u201CTEN HORNS%u201D: The %u201CCOUNSEL OF TEN%u201D majestic angels
The %u201CCOUNSEL OF TEN%u201D includes Lucifer and the anti-christ!

CONTACT ME! Thank You.

[drgoodwin12]

to getreal Have you ever read AGAINST ALL ENEMIES or THE PRICE OF LOYALTY both written by republicans and never rebuked.Even Rice can no longer rebuke Woodward as the state department released that she had a meeting with Tenet.You have offered no solutions to the war in Iraq or the war on terror at least I have and mine are backed up with assessment's from the pentagon.You are afraid that your so called moral party is going to lose in Nov.. With the Foleygate exploding and it's path leading to top republicans having prior knowledge 5 years ago of Foley's behavior and warning the pages ,it cannot claim the higher moral ground.Resignation should follow,complicity in a crime of this heinous nature is almost as bad as the crime itself.And notice I have been civil and not called you names as you did me,that is the higher moral ground.

[rayhc]

My full name: Raymond Howard Carlson

My E-Mail: [e-mail]

More below!

ADDITIONAL KEYS:

The %u201CLAST%u201D verse within Revelations 17 states that the %u201CWHORE%u201D will RULE over all the Earth!!!! Currently, and before, the United States was and is the %u201CBIGGEST%u201D %u201CSUPERPOWER%u201D in the world!

Contained within Revelations 18 there is a verse that states that the Sailors will be a %u201CFAR OFF%u201D while watching her, the %u201CWHORE%u201D, BURNING! The TIGRESS and EUPHRATES RIVERS are NOT that BIG!!!!!!!!! Bottom line, the ancient city of BABYLON will NOT be rebuilt!!!!!!!!!!!

The Catholic Church is NOT the %u201CWHORE%u201D! In my opinion, the Catholic Church amounts to paganism mixed with Christianity. Read your history!

CONTACT ME! Thank You.

[rayhc]

My full name: Raymond Howard Carlson

My E-Mail: [e-mail]

BIBLE STUDY:

Get your BIBLE and turn to the BOOK OF REVALATIONS chapter 13. The correct interpretation:

The %u201CBEAST%u201D in Revelations 17 is the SAME %u201CBEAST%u201D in Revelations 13! Look to the END of the chapter in Revelations 13. There is a %u201CSECOND%u201D %u201CBEAST%u201D! This is the anti-christ. His, the anti-christ%u2019s, number is 666! Do NOT be confused! The anti-christ is NOT Dameon Thorn! Ha! Ha! The anti-christ is a multi-dimentional majestic angel that has powers and can shape-shift (SEE: %u201CTHE DEVILS ADVOCATE%u201D%u2014Lucifer%u2019s character)! The anti-christ is immortal, and will survive a fatal attack! Furthermore, the anti-christ will make lightning fall from a clear sky!

CONTACT ME! Thank You.

[rayhc]

My full name: Raymond Howard Carlson

My E-Mail: [e-mail]

This letter is concerning article on Ms. Rice (SECRETRARY OF STATE) on IRAQ and IRAN!

Message:

Please get ALL the books by Joel C. Rosenberg and read them! Get a copy of the video and book entitled %u201CTHE LATE GREAT PLANET EARTH%u201D by Hal Lindsey! Get a copy of the video of the controversial documentary film by Michael Moore that attacked the Bush Administration! Michael Moore%u2019s film was out in theaters about a year ago. Next, get a copy of a BIBLE (King James or New King James Versions)!

CONTACT ME! Thank You.

[drgoodwin12]

To all those who gave me sites that stated that the actual death toll in Iraq is higher than what is being reported,thank you.Now the meat of the matter is this if you are a soldier injured in Iraq and medvac out of Iraq to die in a hospital you simply are not counted by the pentagon.This kind of investigation requires a reporter which I am not and someone who has access to individuals that will confirm it.I beleive the death toll is actually higher.It's time to get out and vote these Rovettes outof office and get some real accountability from our our congress.The media needs to step up to the plate.It is odd that the republican party is more worried about the fallout from foleygate than they are from Woodwards book.

"Yeah!!!! Let's get Bush impeached!! YEAH! We losers who do nothing but sit in front of the cbsnews opinion page have all the answers to solve this blame game. MORONS! - Getreal"

Now that's what I call thoughtful and articulate. Three beers and this guys a freakin genius. And another thing . . . He'll show us! He'll show everybody! Just you wait and see. Yeah!!! (Some guys are armed with a gun - this guy's armed with a mirror). On second thought, Bush DID has killed over 100,000 Iraqi civilians and DID get more Americans killed fighting in Iraq, than died on 9/11. And it WAS all based on a pack of lies and it IS all for nothing. Ya know what, this guy's right, let's get Bush impeached. Yeah!!