Woodward Suggests Future Scandal For Obama White House (VIDEO)

UPDATE: In light of recent tax scandals forcing two of President Obama's nominees to withdraw from contention, Marcy Wheeler wonders what Bob Woodward knew when he predicted more "nanny or household tax problems" for Obama.

[S[omeone had already discovered these problems at least ten days ago--or that's what I assume from this Woodward clip from January 25. At that point, Woodward (in his inimitable "I used to be a journalist but now I'm just the world's best paid gossip" way) was already predicting we'd see more tax problems beyond Geithner (and, of course, we're still waiting for the nannies).

So who told Woodard? Does he have a mole in the Obama vetting process? Why would Obama's vetters pick Woodward, of all people?

***

Appearing on the Chris Matthews Show Sunday, Bob Woodward offered a rather cryptic prediction of scandal that will plague the Obama White House.

"This may be tantalizing but vague," said the Washington Post scribe. "I don't think the nanny or household tax problems and so forth are over for the Obama administration..."

Matthews pressed ever so slightly for more information, but Woodward did not oblige: "I say it's not over."

It was the type of gossip ginning, insider reporting that makes D.C. journalism what it is. But it wasn't without a glimmer of irony. Earlier in the week, Matthews had shut down similar banter on Hardball when the New York Daily News' Liz Benjamin noted that the unconfirmed rumor mill was saying that Caroline Kennedy had an "affair issue."

"Well, how about let's stick to journalism," Matthews said, over her. "I don't do that here, Liz. Liz, if it's just blogging, let's drop it, OK?"

It was a somewhat controversial segment. But Matthews had his share of defenders. On CNN's Reliable Sources this Sunday, Sally Quinn said that such unsubstantiated gossip had no place in journalism and complimented the MSNBC host for "cutting it off."

Woodward's tip may end up being correct. But it didn't seem to meet the standard of reporting that Matthews set for Benjamin and Quinn seconded. Quinn, it should be noted, is married to Woodward's longtime editor, Ben Bradlee.

Comments

[JAB20]

08:11 PM on 02/04/2009

Come on folks! Surely we all know that it is not exactly rocket science to predict a new administration will have a scandal in the first few weeks. They all do. And if there isn't a legitimate scandal, the other party dreams one up.

[jukesgrrl]

05:38 PM on 02/04/2009

I hardly think these issues approach the level of SCANDAL. Former Senator Daschle got turned down for a job. He's not living in shame and his career is likely not over. There was less shreiking when our president took us to war with lies or our vice president outed a covert CIA agent. Perspective, people.

[dirtyice]

03:01 PM on 02/04/2009

Poor Donny Boy... Maybe he forgot "You go to work on the bus you have not the bus you wish you had".

[atpal]

02:44 PM on 02/04/2009

There are fair critiques to be made about Woodward, but they are not made anywhere in this post.

1.) Woodward and Liz Benjamin were not doing the same thing. Benjamin was mouthing an unsubstantiated rumor that was fabricated by bloggers. Woodward had real inside sources and has now been proven correct. These two things are not the same. They are exact opposites.

2.) Perhaps there's an irony in the Huffington Post accusing someone of being a highly paid gossip?

[dotorfats]

01:57 PM on 02/04/2009

I guess outing a cia spy should of been called a scandal , only treason. .give me a break if you repubs dont start working and get over your joyful distruction of this country.many more of you will be voted out and there will be like 30 of you left in the senate to do nothing.Dont you guys see that our you blind The pendiulm swinging to the left , not going to stop it in midflight, sorry neos.

[naijaman]

12:37 PM on 02/04/2009

"Scandal"? Where is the scandal, exactly? You'd think it was the President who didn't pay his taxes or something...sheesh. The real scandal is that the Repubs are more interested in playing politics than stemming the tide of job losses and home foreclosures...THAT's the "scandal".

[fran-pan]

12:27 PM on 02/04/2009

thanks for nothing mr. woodward.. once you were an investigative journalist.. now you are very rich and a voice of the have everythings...

[timetraveler2039]

12:04 PM on 02/04/2009

Scandal is the long list of wounds inflicted on this country by Geo. W. and his minions -- one of whom was Bob Woodward. I think that Woodward and his ilk have had their day -- and they just refuse to fade into the background where they belong. In other words, both the Kool-Aid and the chewing gum have lost their flavor!

[slowhand0728]

11:56 AM on 02/04/2009

What if this was not the scandal he was talking about? More to come?

[larry278]

12:46 PM on 02/04/2009

It's a safe bet to say that more scandals about Pres Obama's appointees will be coming. Pres Obama owes a debt to America's establishment since the establishment annointed him as POTUS #44 & gave large chunks of money to his campaign. Obama's campaign did tap into a meaningful source of funds from grass roots supporters as no candidate for POTUS had before but you need the blessing & money of the establishment to become POTUS. If you get anything from the establishment, you make a tacit agreement to give somethings to the establishment. Obama's bi-partisan attitude toward governing & appointments allows the Pres to use people satisfactory to the establisment. Establishment favoring public figures have been known to have tax & other problems in the past. Yes, rabid, radical, progressives can & do have similar problems. The neo-cons are out of power but they benefit from the fact that it's open season on Obama's appointees.
More of Pres Obama's appointees are going to get flack. Some neo-con shots are going to cripple or kill some rabidly, radical progressive policies & appointees. That's a given.

[Seattlelite]

01:09 PM on 02/04/2009

"you need the blessing & money of the establishment to become POTUS"

If that were true why isn't Hillary POTUS, she and Bill had way more influence and megas money friends in WA than Obama.

[3015551212]

11:47 AM on 02/04/2009

I think the Caroline Kennedy cut off might have had more to do with Chris Matthews ardent love for Caroline Kennedy. He's admitted he has a "thing" for Kennedy, that he feels more protective of her.

[betttyrubble]

10:27 AM on 02/04/2009

Bob Woodward is like that annoying friend who taunts, "I have a secret and I'm not going to tell! [nah nah nahnahnah optional]." It's all him--about pathetically waving a flag as if to say, "I'm HERE."

In his case, it saddens me. Bob, where is that former, glorious, kick butt version of yourself? Is this all that's left--a watery old gossip spreading innuendos? Geez.

As to Obama? I simply think he's learning the hard way that it's an enormous task to separate experience and know-how from corruption. BUT, he/it has to start somewhere... and I'm glad he's taking it on much to the chagrin of some of his supporters as he falters and to the glee of the cowardly, incompetent, sword-throwing republican "crusaders" who never even tried.

Non segue here, but is anyone else tired of the redundant McCain headlines:
McCain blames Obama for....[pick anything].

Hey John, you lost, you're not the spokesperson for your party [apparently Rush Limbaugh is]. I think that means we didn't like your solutions. Give Obama some space for the bipartisan filth left to clear. It will take time.

[takeyourballandgohome]

10:15 AM on 02/04/2009

He knew THE BIG NOTHING!!! He is now an entertainer and survivor...he and Anne Coulter just say whatever to stay in the $$$'s. Not really moral actions considering the range of their words and some listen to them b/c they are Sarah Palin'ish mentality. Proves they just all have 'tax issues', join the fortune tellers....wooooo, "i see tax problems in your future"....

[Hunffingtongreen]

09:52 AM on 02/04/2009

I'm glad Woodward is helping to expose Obama's appointment of corrupt, business as usual politicians.

[Seattlelite]

01:11 PM on 02/04/2009

Where was Woodward the last 8 years if he thinks tax problems are scandals? Give me a break.

[Hunffingtongreen]

06:10 PM on 02/04/2009

Mr D had more than "tax issues" but I'd say breaking the tax laws IS a scandal. Mr D was taking big big bucks from the lobbists and Obama claimed he wasn't playing that game anymore. D was acting like a king letting everyone grease his palms and wine and dine him. IT was big, corrupt, business as usual Washington. D was proof Obama didn't mean what he said.....D had to go. Obama fired him.

[Delores Smith]

11:48 PM on 02/08/2009

maybe it has to do with Larry sinclair's book coming out Feb 16th same day he is pushing for the Stimulas/spending. You know he has to pay back all his big donors.







Dee

[Maezeppa]

09:09 AM on 02/04/2009

There's no evidence Woodward knew anything and this is not a 'scandal'. It's part of the vetting process.

[AtTheMoon]

09:00 AM on 02/04/2009

IRS doesn't bother to collect taxes anymore, it's a political tool of the GOP.

[ebanks84]

11:42 AM on 02/04/2009

They don't collect them from the rich that's for sure. The poor pays or goes to jail.

[ilrslr3]

12:00 PM on 02/04/2009

I was thinking the same thing ebanks84, when my husband lost his job 2 years ago(plant closed moved to Mexico) we had to go into our 401k and was penalized, we end up owing and had to go on payment plan with tthe IRS, these senators make 100,000 of thousand of dollars and they can't pay taxes? Give me a break!