He Said, He Said

Bob Woodward's new book, FEAR is coming out soon and there was a big tease in the news today.  Of course his book is all about the Trump White House, what a terrible place it is, how he's a monster who is not only stupid but out of control, how his aids continually save the country from his tirades and impulses and how most people who work there think he's an idiot and hate their jobs.  Of course, many of those he quoted said it was all B.S.  It's actually sort of sad because I used to enjoy Woodward's work.  He has good access, is a smart and experienced guy, and generally can tell a great story.  But from I've heard, this is just so over the top accusatory, that his hatred of the President comes through loud and clear.

But what to believe?  From what I've heard it's clearly a he said, he said (or he said, she said depending who's on the other end).  Many who have had experience with Woodward say that he has great sources and if he says something you can expect that it is credible.  But like I said, some of the hyperbole I've heard coming out of this book seems....far fetched.  For instance, he quoted Secretary Mattis as saying that Trump has the "intellect of a fifth or sixth grader".  He is said to have refused to execute some crazy ideas that Trump put forth.  But here's Mattis' rebuttal:

This seems pretty unequivocal to me.  And General Kelly and others have released similarly strong rebuttals.  So to me and from what I've heard so far, the book seems like just another hit piece that takes a lot of license.  And since this is being done right before the mid-term elections makes me think pretty strongly that Woodward is doing this for some benefit to Democrats.  And if true, then Woodward is finished as a journalist.