Woodward gives inside look at Biden's handling of war
Kendall McKernon's passing leaves a gaping hole in Hudson Falls community
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Bob Woodward is now 81 years old.
Watergate is a half-century in the rear view mirror, yet Woodward is still holding politicians accountable. He should be the most trusted many in America.
The Washington Post reporter and editor has had as dazzling a career as any journalist in U.S. history. He is the Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays of reporting.
Even now, when Bob Woodward calls, people at the highest levels of government call him back, but maybe more importantly, they tell him the secrets they have not told anyone else.
Even former President Trump.
Woodward taped more than 20 interviews and recorded more than eight hours worth of conversations with the former president for his book "Rage" and it was often Trump calling Woodward.
Woodward released his new book "War" this month and like most Woodward books, it made headlines with revelations that Trump sent Russian President Vladimir Putin Covid testing machines in the early days of the pandemic and continued to chat with the Russian dictator after he left office.
But that's not really what the put is about.
"War" scrutinizes the current president and the perilous conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Despite Trump incessant criticism, Woodward says Biden has handled both, the crisis in Ukraine and the one in the Middle East, extremely well.
Perhaps more than any other reporter, Woodward is able to place his readers inside the rooms where momentous decisions are happening.
Woodward reports the Biden administration saw clearly that Russia posed a threat to Ukraine and rallied its European allies to meet that threat.
Alarmed by the intelligence, it had to convince Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky that his country was going to be invaded.
Woodward recounts a scene with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the phone with his Russian counterpart about the possibility Russia will use nuclear weapons.
Austin tells him they know the Russians are considering it.
"We know you are contemplating the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. First, any use of nuclear weapons on any scale against anybody would be seen by the United States and the world as a world-changing event. There is no scale of nuclear weapons use that we could overlook, or that the world could overlook.”
“If you did this, all the restraints that we have been operating under in Ukraine would be reconsidered,” Austin said. “This would isolate Russia on the world stage to a degree you Russians cannot fully appreciate.”
“I don’t take kindly to being threatened,” the Russian responded.
“Mr Minister, I am the leader of the most powerful military in the history of the world. I don’t make threats.”
Colin Kahl, a senior official at the Pentagon, told Woodward, “It was probably the most hair-raising moment of the whole war.”
Talking to National Public Radio, Woodward said, "I quote Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser for Biden, saying that if Trump had been president, Putin would be in Kyiv now. Why? Because Trump, who loves dictators and the unity of power in one person, would have waved Putin right into Kyiv. There would have been no pushback. Why? And this is what Jake Sullivan says, which has a lot of truth, `Trump loves dictators.'”
Trump's Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, told Woodward he had concerns about the relationships as well.
“It’s still a mystery to me how he deals with Putin and what he says to Putin,” Coats, told Woodward.
“Is it blackmail?” Woodward asks. "There’s something there, Coats is sure."
"In this book is the information that was not known about Trump sending the COVID testing machines — not just the tests, but the machines — to Putin," Woodward said. "And the discussion he has with Putin about this, and Putin says, you know, `Don't tell anyone.'"
“Oh, I don't care,” Trump responded.
“No, don't tell anyone,” Putin insists.
So Woodward concludes, "Because he's looking out — this is an alliance. And of course, what did they do? Cover it up."
When Putin invaded Ukraine, Biden put some of the blame on President Barack Obama for not standing up to Russia when it invaded Crimea.
“They fucked up in 2014,” Woodward reports Biden saying. “That’s why we are here … Barack never took Putin seriously … We gave Putin a license to continue! Well, I’m revoking his fucking license!”
Ultimately, this book is about President Biden and shows a leader very much in command.
Woodward eventually concludes Trump is “the wrong man for the presidency … unfit to lead the country,” and “the most reckless and impulsive president in American history.”
That's from eight hours of conversations with the former president personally and many other conversations with the people who worked with him.
At 81 - the same age as President Biden - you'd think Woodward must be nearing the end of his long career.
NPR Reporter Scott Detrow asked during his interview: "Are you already thinking, there's a new president coming in in a few months, I better get back to work? Or how are you thinking about that question?"
"I'm thinking about I need to get back to work," Woodward answered.
That makes me feel a little better.
Wine, chocolate Friday
The Chapman Museum's Wine and Chocolate event takes place on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Queensbury Hotel.
Wineries and spirits-makers from all over the region will be in attendance along with an abundance of food and snacks.
Call the Chapman Museum to secure your tickets - and a souvenir wine glass - while also contributing to the historical narrative of Glens Falls and the surrounding region.
Remembering Kendall
When my first book came out in 2021, Kendall McKernon reached out to me and told me he wanted my book in his store in downtown Hudson Falls.
That meant a lot to a first-time author, but that was Kendall, always thinking about the community and other people. People didn't so much shop at his gallery as stop by for a visit.
He died suddenly this past week leaving a gaping hole in Hudson Falls's downtown community. McKernon was more than just a local businessman, he was a visionary who saw a big beautiful future for the village and helped craft the vision for the Sandy Hill Arts Center above his store.
McKernon Gallery will be open on a limited basis in the coming week, including Saturday. There will also be a day-long remembrance of Kendall's work upstairs in the Arts Center on Nov. 10.
It's the end of an era in Hudson Falls.
Ken Tingley spent more than four decades working in small community newspapers in upstate New York. Since retirement in 2020 he has written three books and is currently adapting his second book "The Last American Newspaper" into a play. He currently lives in Queensbury, N.Y.
Dear Ken,
Yesterday you posed the question: Would we do what Navalny did? Most of us might have paused because it takes a lot to give up your life to a cause. Woodward is ready to set to work, regardless of the possible risks, and we, collectively, should be too. Everyone's life depends on it.
Kendall McKernon put his all, his artistic talent, his time and energy and his enormous heart, into promoting the revival of his beloved village, surrounding comunity and the people within it. I was one of the people on the receiving end of his jubilant support and friendship. What a way to spend a life, doing good for others and receiving the love and respect from everyone he touched. He is terribly missed.
Agreed. Kendall McKernon was a superb cheerleader for Hudson Falls. His vision became possible with the help of Phoenix Rising. Together, they brought back the downtown district and made Hudson Falls a destination. Kudos also go out to the Moran brothers, Jonathon Newell and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. I've probably left out folks but the gist is what people can accomplish when they all work together.