Re-Write of Bush at War Passage

REVEALING RE-WRITE OF THE CRITICAL PASSAGE
in Bob Woodward's Bush At War
to the Elect Hobie Webpage

One way to highlight what is really happening in this critical passage in Bob Woodward's Bush At War (appearing at pages 254-263 ) is to re-write it as we’d wish it read... and place the following re-write side by side with the original:

     Access to see the president after his normal working day was over at 9:30 p.m. was a not a special privilege granted only to a few insiders. Bush believed that the ability to talk to the president one-on-one was not only a perk for the long hours and hard work involved in working in the White House, but also it allowed the president to directly access a lot of people. So when Rice asked Bush if they could talk sometime soon, Bush told his secretary to make time on his calendar the next day.
     While Bush’s leadership style, like his father’s, bordered on the methodical he focused on practical actions and solutions and once on a course, he preferred to see if it would work rather than immediately second guessing. He however harbored few regrets or recriminations, and his knowledgeable and insightful comments and questions were cherished by his staff. “I know it may be hard to believe, but I continually reevaluate each big decision to adjust for changing conditions... and I never worry about politics if a change of course is necessary. And since we can only ever do a fraction of all of the good things we’d like to do, we must always do not just what is right, but what is smart.”
     Rice knew and was re-assured by these characteristics. Doubt and questioning was the handmaiden of sound policy, she thought. Careful reconsideration is a necessary part of any decision-making process, and she felt free to raise caution flags, or even red lights if necessary, to urge the president to rethink. Sometimes the best decision had been to overrule an earlier one, and it hadn’t been difficult to get the president to agree to do so even if the political opposition accused them of flip-flopping.
     Bush had finished his daily physical fitness routine and was still in his exercise clothes. He was not dripping sweat, but had cooled down and Rice wondered if this was an appropriate time for such a conversation since so many other times were possible... but she launched into her concerns without the need for any small talk.
     Rice noted that nothing was moving in the war and the mood among the principles wasn’t very good and there was some hand-wringing. The president jerked forward. Hand-wringing? He understood the feeling, especially in tough times. He had read and received many reports from others, including the principles, so this was not a surprise.
     When the president asked Rice if she thought the plan was working, she gave a concise analysis of potential options, and after some give and take, she felt comfortable that she knew what the president was thinking and why: the president chose to follow the plan while keeping alternate strategies available. Rice told him that it would be good if at the next days NCS meeting he express that same confidence in this plan
   “I’ll do it,” the president said, thanking Rice for her questions and information.
   For Bush it was a not memorable discussion. Rice’s job was to tell him things he liked to hear and things he didn’t, but always to freely give her best advice and most honest opinions.
   At the end of the next morning’s NCS meeting Bush said “I believe we should give the plan more time. The plan was sound when we adopted it, and it remains sound so far, and we have explored options if or when things don’t turn out as we expected."
     He looked around the table from face to face. There is an aspect of baseball-coach, even fraternity-brother fellowship in Bush at such moments. He leans his head forward and makes eye contact, saying in effect, speak up and help us find a better way.... even if it means we made a mistake before...
   Is this plan still working, the president was asking? Have there been any surprises, things we didn’t expect? Are there more options we should explore, more problems that we haven't anticipated? He wanted each of those present to participate in the discussion, – even backbenchers Hadley and Scooter Libby. He was almost demanding they take speak up and give their best, honest assessment, and all facts, even uncomfortable ones. He knew the worst case was if his advisors were afraid to tell him "the emperor has no clothes."
   Rice knew the president encouraged and expected debate, and would listen and offer feedback, and then seek consensus on any proposed change. And in fact the president not only opened the door for everyone’s concerns, he was really listening. And when he did talk it was never to belittle another person’s point, even an opponent’s, but rather to make that person feel valued for offering their best assessment.
      And while quickly each in turn agreed it was too early to abandon or change the plan and strategy, several raised other scenarios and options.
     “I agree,” Bush said. “We must be patient. We prepared a good plan and hopefully we’re just entering a difficult phase. The press will try to find divisions among us. Their job is to question our plan and strategy, but hopefully never as effectively as we have questioned it among ourselves.” And even in the secrecy of that room, the president reminded everyone that all of the news media, including those that were critical of his administration, wanted victory.
       Hadley thought that significant tension suddenly drained from the room.... Hadley believed some of them had to wonder if the president might be losing confidence in them. Indeed, in their souls many knew they were losing confidence in themselves.. and their long cherished ideas. Each was anxious to deserve the trust and confidence the president placed in them... and each knew that anything less than extraordinary work and complete honesty could be devastating. They knew they had a job as long as they did their best, and as long as their best proved to be the real world right answer. Not only had Bush declared confidence in their strategy, but more importantly, Hadley believed, he had again declared confidence in them....
     Rice believed it was one of the more telling moments. While the president had opened up to alternatives, the war cabinet recognized that staying the course was the best path... at least for a little longer.. And that if the current strategy didn’t work the president wouldn’t hesitate to make even radical changes, and even if they had politically risks....

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This page created October 2, 2004; Original material and