Bob Woodward Quotes

Bob Woodward gives a blunt, skeptical look at journalism and truth, perfect for anyone questioning media integrity.

21 quotes

1. All good work is done in defiance of management.

2. I think that the decision to nominate the story for a Pulitzer is of minimal consequence. I also think that it won is of little consequence. It is a brilliant story -- fake and fraud that it is.

3. It would be absurd for me or any other editor to review the authenticity or accuracy of stories that are nominated for prizes.

4. I believed it, we published it. Official questions had been raised, but we stood by the story and her. Internal questions had been raised, but none about her other work. The reports were about the story not sounding right, being based on anonymous sources, and primarily about purported lies [about] her personal life -- [told by men reporters], two she had dated and one who felt in close competition with her.'

5. If so, our posture would be as follows: we published the story and said it was true, but now we are going to nominate it for a Pulitzer -- now that's serious business.

6. I don't believe you on the 'Jimmy' story. No, I don't, and I'm going to prove it if it's the last thing I do.

7. 'It's all over,' he said to Cooke. 'You've got to come clean. The notes show us the story is wrong. We know it. We can show you point by point how you concocted it.'

8. Deep Throat was a very unfortunate name given to the source by the managing editor of The Washington Post.

9. Certain political figures think when you call them and ask them for a comment; that you are somehow doing something that you shouldn't be doing.

10. Way before Watergate, senior administration officials hid behind anonymity.

11. Not a season passes without new disclosures showing Nixon's numerous attempts at criminal use of his presidential powers and in fact the scorn he held for the rule of law.

12. The cloud of doubt that surrounds political figures tends to remain and never dissipate or be clarified.

13. Sometimes,doing nothing is the best reaction.

14. Getting up in the morning and having work you love is what makes life different for people. If you get into a position where you don't love what you're doing, get off it.

15. The number of illegal activities were so large that one was bound to come out and lead to the uncovering of the others. Nixon was too willing to use the power of government to settle scores and get even with enemies.

16. The failure of the system to deal quickly was attributable to Nixon's lying, stonewalling and refusal to come clean. So it took 26 months for the final truth to be known.

17. The biggest rap on me is that I don't find a Watergate every couple of years. Well, Watergate was unique. It's not something Carl Bernstein, I, or the Washington Post caused.

18. There are people who take rumors and embellish them in a way that can be devastating. And this pollution has to be eradicated by people in our business as best we can.

19. It was accountability that Nixon feared.

20. Lawyers didn't seriously get involved in the Watergate stories until quite late, when we realized we were on to something.

21. I think journalism gets measured by the quality of information it presents, not the drama or the pyrotechnics associated with us.