I’ve been a fan of Woodward’s many previous efforts about the presidents he has covered, amazed at his ability to dig through the protective layers presidents enjoy in order to find the true story. I had wondered in the past if it indeed was the true story. It’s part of my DNA to question all sources of information.
Any doubts, however, were dissipated by his latest effort. I found the writing to be the same as in earlier books, but I learned all of the interviews with Trump were conducted on the record and all but one recorded. And he stated with clarity which information came from the exception. I even heard some of the recordings on news programs. It’s not proof positive, but I am comfortable with assuming Woodward was equally meticulous in his previous ventures.
But this discussion is about the latest Trump book only. I looked forward to reading it, because I was sure a factual account would cast Trump in a negative light, and that was sure to bring me pleasure.
And, since Trump is Trump, the book fulfilled my expectations. It confirmed my already cast in stone opinion of the man. He is indeed self-centered. He doesn’t appear to be a deep thinker. He cannot deal with negative facts so he invents and lies about better outcomes. He takes credit when things go well (even when his actions were recommended by his advisors, he’ll say he was the only one in the room to choose the successful option) and blames others when things go bad (even when the recipient of his wrath had nothing to do with the situation).
Yes, there was plenty in the book to please as I watched his term of office unfold, even though the book’s coverage ended well before the election. My opinions of the ex-president obtained by observation of the news, and the books by niece Mary Trump and former National Security Advisor John Bolton, were only enhanced.
So I was surprised to find myself thinking two unexpected thoughts.
The first involves Trump directly. I learned that in meetings he often asked penetrating questions, eliciting a range of opinions on the subject of the moment. If he didn’t get bored and cut off discussion, he wound up with a set of possible outcomes to a problem from which he could select the one he deemed best. Sometimes he did make the best choice. Often he did not. If advice went against his preconceived notions, such as his wanting South Korea to pay more toward the cost of keeping our troops there, he might go into a rant. Or later he might tweet a decision that went against the advice of his experts because he “knew more than they did.” How much better a president would he have been if he’d followed up his interrogation plusses with maturity? What if he hadn’t been such an insecure and narrow thinking man, might he have been a good president rather than probably the worst one we have ever had?
My second surprise related to the Trump sycophant, Lindsay Graham. Years ago, although I had problems with many of his stands, I had respect for him. I will always remember that during a hearing for one of Obama’s Supreme Court nominations, Graham indicated that elections have consequences and he would vote to support the nominee.
Apparently later elections no longer had consequences as he aligned himself with Trump’s fight against Biden’s certain victory. I attribute this to the real Graham emerging after the mollifying influence of John McCain was gone. As a result, I came to detest the South Carolina senator.
But Woodward’s book came along. I still didn’t like Graham’s attachment to Trump, but I learned that he offered the president sound advice, even when it was not what Trump wished to hear. He tried to bring reason into the presidency. I don’t believe he sacrificed himself to be a savior of Trump. I thought at the time he believed the clinging would help him in what was postulated to be a close reelection battle for him. But I have to admit, he did provide reasonable advice.
Now, though, he has won reelection and is safe for six years. But he still touts the Trump bandwagon. He recently pushed for continuation of the MAGA movement and can’t wait to visit Trump in Florida.
My momentary lapses inspired by Rage have flown. While detestable people can have the occasional moment of sanity, they are still detestable.