Open Thread * Bob Woodward’s Vainglorious Indictment of the Clintons

Okay, before we chat about Bob Woodward, we need to discuss the one of the MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FACING US IN THE COMING FOUR YEARS: Where will we go to read truthful and objective reports about the activities and achievements, as well as the problems and challenges, of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton? Do any of you have any good ideas? WaPo NYTimes A.P. NBC MNSBC CNN Fox HuffyPoop Time Newsweak McClatchy? Times UK? Where?

That is one reason, in an earlier post, I suggested to Senator Clinton that she establish 1) a blog, 2) a YouTube channel, and 3) meetings with “citizen journalists” so that we can get her DIRECT perspective on what she is doing in her job. Hillary needs her own bullypulpit, her own unfiltered message venue to all of us. Now, that would all have to be cleared with the Obama WH Press people, etc. They may say no.

Here’s one more idea, Hillary: Once a month, or every other month, prepare a 10-minute video that can be sent to school teachers nationwide. Tell the kids about some program that the U.S. is undertaking in some country that the kids have likely NEVER heard of. Show them where that country is. Show them a few images or a bit of video of what the people and the country look like.

Include some cute information, like video snippets of some special wildlife. (I’ll never forget your stump speech in which you talked about the ENDANGERED MOUNTAIN GORILLAS! And I saved that speech on my DVR forever, because i planned to write about what you said, but i never did, damn it.)

Anyway, this would be VERY edifying for children of ALL AGES, as long as it’s fun too. I doubt most kids can find Mexico or Canada on a world map, sigh, and this is desperately needed. And if you don’t do it too often, it will be a special treat. Kids LOVE videos if for no other reason than that means, for 10 minutes, they don’t have to listen to their teacher bitching at them (which far too many teachers do ALL the time, which KILLS the kids’ interest in every subject).

You speak very well and very warmly, and the kids will listen to you. Perhaps you can do this in conjunction with the Sec. of Education? ALSO establish a spot on your SecState site where kids can go and learn more about the country, and that includes all past videos you’ve done.

NOW, BOB:

On the little-seen syndicated Chris Matthews Show — in copy sneaked out early to FishbowlDC, via MediaBistro.com — we’re told that Bob Woodward says:

Being president is about control, and tell me who ever controlled Bill or Hillary Clinton. They can’t control each other. … I think it’s because Warren Buffett and Paul Volcker and others have convinced Obama, ‘You’re going to have to focus like a laser on the economy. That’s issue Number One. And give Hillary and Bill the world.’ … I think people are fantasizing or smoking something if they think Joe Biden’s going to call Hillary Clinton up and say, ‘This is what we want you to do.’

Well, I’m sure that Obama’s Secret Service detail keeps a pack or two handy when he needs a smoke. But he’s not “smoking something.” He’s giving “the world” to an incredibly knowledgeable, talented, and extremely well-traveled woman who also knows, personally, both the White House and Congress.

What IS this incessant obsession that the D.C. crowd has with the Clintons? They seem so silly. And, recalling those “18 million cracks in the glass ceiling” as well as President Bill Clinton’s two terms, it’s obvious that voters don’t may them much mind (thank god).

You just have to get a copy of Sidney Blumenthal’s engrossing book, The Clinton Wars, about how the Clintons dealt — let’s make that TRIED to deal — with the D.C. establishment and media during his presidency.

Blumenthal provides the POV you never hear in the MSM, ensconced as they all are with the D.C. establishment, spouting the same rubbish about the Clintons because to do otherwise would sentence them to never being invited to Sally and Ben’s anymore.

Bob Woodward is a joke. He writes flattering books about President Bush when it’s safe to do so. He writes unflattering books about President Bush when it’s necessary to turn on him. I trust no professor assigns Mr. Woodward’s books to students.

OPEN THREAD!