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Bush Can Teach Obama What Not to Do: Woodward

Woodward has seen all the mistakes and lived to tell about it

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 15, 2009 9:49 AM CST

(Newser) – George W. Bush’s presidency could teach Barack Obama many lessons—about what not to do. Bob Woodward lays out 10 of them in today’s Washington Post:

  • "Presidents need to draw people out and make sure bad news makes it to the Oval Office": Bush went into Iraq "without directly asking Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, or George Tenet for their bottom-line recommendation."
  • "A president must do the homework to master the fundamental ideas and concepts behind his policies": One general suspected Bush "lacked a basic grasp of what the Iraq war was about."

  • "Presidents set the tone. Don't be passive": Bush once watched Donald Rumsfeld snatch a document out of Condoleezza Rice’s hands. “I’ll let you two work it out,” he said, and walked away.
To see the complete list, click the link below.

George W. Bush adjusts his head phone during a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, unseen, at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008.
George W. Bush adjusts his head phone during a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, unseen, at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
Dick Cheney applauds President Bush, after the president made remarks on the transition to administration employees, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
Dick Cheney applauds President Bush, after the president made remarks on the transition to administration employees, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Bush listens to a speech during a graduation ceremony for FBI Special Agents in Quantico, Va., in this Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008, file photo.
President Bush listens to a speech during a graduation ceremony for FBI Special Agents in Quantico, Va., in this Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008, file photo.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, file)
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Instead of a team of rivals, Bush wound up with a team of back-stabbers. - Bob Woodward

After the invasion, Cheney had a celebratory dinner with some aides and friends. 'Colin always had major reservations about what we were trying to do,' Cheney told the group as they toasted Bush and laughed at Powell. - Bob Woodward

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
jaguarj
Jan 17, 2009 3:25 AM CST
YAH..isn't that Bush's nickname? Prince of darkness? He was in the dark 99% of the time.
Shannonals
Jan 16, 2009 10:56 PM CST
CK, you sound so bitter, still upset your hero is leaving office?
Doctor-Zaius
Jan 14, 2009 10:11 PM CST
Buh-bye, you baffoon.

Bush's legacy: the global village idiot
Daily Mirror (UK)

History will vindicate Bush: Historian
Telegraph (UK)

Bush's departure saddens his few admirers
Chicago Tribune

 
Iraq • Bush administration • Dick Cheney • Donald Rumsfeld • Condoleezza Rice • Bob Woodward • Bush legacy • Colin Powell • George W. Bush

 
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