TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Bob Woodward addressed a crowd of more than 300 at the University of Alabama, where he discussed the lack of transparency in public office.
Woodward and Carl Bernstein are best known for their investigative reporting on the Watergate scandal for the Washington Post during the 1970s, which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Woodward delivered the lecture in the Bryant Conference Center at UA’s Blackburn Academic Symposium Lecture on Feb. 22. The institute seeks to develop leaders who examine issues and solutions that will better the quality of life for people in the state and nation, according to the group’s website.
Woodward told the audience he once asked Al Gore, “How much of what goes on in the government, particularly in the White House, do we know?”
He said Gore sarcastically replied 1 percent, but the former vice president added the public does not know 60 to 70 percent of what happens in the White House.
Woodward, associate editor of the Washington Post, said it is reporter’s job to “peel the onion,” even though he admitted that it can be difficult at times.
Woodward recalled a time when he interviewed Bill Clinton, and he said Clinton makes Ronald Reagan, who is remembered as “The Great Communicator,” look like an amateur.
He said throughout the interview, Clinton maintained strong eye contact and was extremely compelling, and he later realized there was nothing he could use from the interview.
“It was mush,” Woodward said. “But it sure felt good.”
He recalled the Sunday morning in 1974 when President Gerald Ford appeared on a weekly television talk show to announce he had granted Nixon a pardon.
Woodward said he was informed of the news when Bernstein called and woke him up.
“Have you heard,” he said Bernstein asked, “The son of a bitch pardoned the son of a bitch!”
Woodward said he conducted a series of interviews with Ford to discover why he pardoned Nixon, because Woodward could not believe Nixon did not serve time in jail while 43 others were in jail following the scandal.
He said Ford finally seemed to give an honest answer after several long interviews.
Woodward said Ford told him he wanted to regain the public’s trust in the White House.
“I have to get Nixon and Watergate off the front page,” Woodward said Ford told him.
Following his lecture, Woodward answered questions from the audience.
When asked about who he believes today’s “boogeyman” is, he said he did not have an answer. However, he said what worries him the most is “secret government.”
He said when he wakes up every morning, his first thought is, “What are those bastards hiding today?”
People from all over the state came to hear Woodward’s standing-room only speech, including aspiring journalists.
“I think [the speech] gave us an aspect of what it’s like to be inside government,” said James Haynes, a high school senior who lives in Good Hope. “And I think that’s exciting.”
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