Woodward Releases New Book
Bob Woodward’s latest book, War, offers a deep dive into the internal chaos of the Biden White House, painting a rather unflattering picture of a presidency riddled with resentment, missteps, and contradictions. The portrait of Joe Biden that emerges is not the composed statesman many might expect; instead, Woodward depicts an irritable leader who harbors grudges against his predecessors, peers, and political adversaries alike, including figures as notable as Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Woodward, Biden’s frustrations run deep. In private moments, the president reportedly referred to Donald Trump as “that fking ahole” and expressed anger toward Obama for mishandling Russia's aggression back in 2014. He even went so far as to blame Obama’s response to the Crimea invasion as a significant factor leading to today’s crisis in Ukraine. “They fucked up in 2014,” Biden allegedly said, lamenting how the U.S. “gave Putin a license to continue!” This outburst highlights Biden's tendency to blame those around him for the challenges his administration now faces, while simultaneously grappling with his own inability to effect meaningful change.
The strained relationship between Biden and Netanyahu also takes center stage in Woodward's account. While Biden has publicly supported Israel, behind closed doors he reportedly had heated exchanges with the Israeli leader over the war in Gaza. Woodward details Biden’s frustration when Netanyahu pushed for military actions that Biden believed lacked strategic clarity. The president’s blunt private remarks—labeling Netanyahu as a “f**king liar”—reveal the depth of their disagreements, even as Biden’s administration sought to present a united front with Israel to the public.
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— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) October 8, 2024
Perhaps one of the most revealing moments in Woodward's book involves Biden's reaction to the prosecution of his son, Hunter Biden. According to Woodward, Biden expressed deep regret over his decision to appoint Merrick Garland as Attorney General, blaming Garland for not doing enough to shield Hunter from legal scrutiny. This sentiment exposes a side of Biden that contradicts his public stance of maintaining independence between the Justice Department and the White House.
The book also touches on Biden’s clashes with his own party, particularly the behind-the-scenes efforts by Democratic leaders and major donors to push him out of the 2024 presidential race. Woodward illustrates how figures like Nancy Pelosi continue to wield significant influence, often outmaneuvering Biden despite his title as the head of the party. Pelosi’s power plays serve as a stark reminder of Biden’s weakened position within the Democratic hierarchy, underscoring the sense that his grip on leadership is slipping.
Biden’s foreign policy record also comes under intense scrutiny in Woodward’s narrative. From his skepticism toward the Iran nuclear deal to his opposition to the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, Biden’s track record is portrayed as consistently out of step with strategic realities. Woodward’s revelations suggest that Biden's hesitations and miscalculations in global affairs have left him outmaneuvered by more assertive leaders like Putin and Netanyahu.
Woodward’s account also highlights how Biden’s leadership style—marked by impatience, profanity, and a thinly veiled disdain for those who don’t see eye-to-eye with him—has contributed to the perception of a White House adrift. His private venting sessions about Obama, Netanyahu, and even his own team paint the picture of a man struggling to find a sense of control in a presidency that often seems beyond his grasp.
The recurring theme of Biden’s bitterness towards his contemporaries, coupled with his inability to influence key events on the world stage, only cements the narrative of a presidency beset by internal strife and diplomatic failures. In Woodward’s portrayal, Biden's years in office are defined not by a grand vision or clear achievements, but by a series of grudges, missed opportunities, and a lingering sense of resentment toward those he feels have wronged him or failed to heed his advice.