Dissapointment

Bob Woodward's fall

All the President's Men was one of the major books and movies of my childhood. I am old enough to have experienced Watergate as it happened. The recent revelations about Mark Felt as Deep throat revealed even more importance to Woodward and Bernstein's heroic work. But heros fall.

In an editorial in Salon.com Joe Conason, Woodward's Disgrace (subcription required), outlines the particulars of Woodward's role in the Valerie Plame case. Both his withholding of information from his editors, as well as his misleading comments, have entered the public record. And the Washington Post's readers have also caught out the once great Woodward in his lies. The established timeline does not support Woodward's explanations of his role in the outing of a covert CIA operative. You can read the transcript of the live chat that Washington Post executive editor Leonard Downie Jr. held with readers on Friday Nov. 18 (2005): Transcript of live chat with Downie regarding Woodward (has links to earlier stories by and about Woodward's role in the Plame case).

I feel no need for further words here. You can read the public record, Woodwards own admissions and Downie's failed defense of the once great reporter for youself.