32 quotes
Inquiry into a Suspicious Check
Woodward
This should take only a minute, Mr. Dahlberg, but we're doing a follow-up on the break-in...and I was kind of curious about your check.
w:Kenneth H. Dahlberg|[Kenneth H.] Dahlberg
Check?
Woodward
The twenty-five thousand dollar one....The one with your name on it...In Bernard Barker's Florida account...Bernard Barker, the Watergate burglar.
Dahlberg
You're definitely doing a story?
Woodward
Yes, sir.
Dahlberg
I'm a proper citizen, I'm a decent man, I don't do anything that isn't decent or proper. I know I shouldn't tell you this...That twenty-five thousand dollars is money I collected for Nixon in this year's campaign.
[pause]
Woodward
I see. And how do you think it reached Miami?
Dahlberg
I don't know; I really don't. The last time I saw it was when I was in Washington. I gave it to the Finance department of the Committee to Re-Elect the President. How it got to that burglar, your guess is as good as mine.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Pressure to Perform Under Uncertainty
Ben Bradlee
You know the results of the latest ]? Half the country never even heard of the word ]. Nobody gives a shit. You guys are probably pretty tired, right? Well, you should be. Go on home, get a nice hot bath. Rest up... 15 minutes. Then get your asses back in gear. We're under a lot of pressure, you know, and you put us there. Nothing's riding on this except the, uh, ], ], and maybe the future of the country. Not that any of that matters, but if you guys fuck up again, I'm gonna get mad. Goodnight.
[[w:Gallup Poll|Gallup Poll; [Watergate scandal|Watergate; [First Amendment to the United States Constitution|first amendment to the Constitution; [freedom of the press]
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Men with Switchblade Mentalities
Woodward
This man ]—he's going to be tried along with Hunt and the five burglars—we know he knows a lot, we just don't know what.
[[G. Gordon Liddy|Gordon Liddy]
Deep Throat
You changed cabs? You're sure no one followed you?
Woodward
I did everything you said, but it all seemed—
Deep Throat
Melodramatic? Things are past that—remember, these are men with switchblade mentalities who run the world as if it were Dodge City.
Woodward
What's the whole thing about—do you know?
Deep Throat
What I know, you'll have to find out on your own.
Woodward
Liddy—you think there's a chance he'll talk?
Deep Throat
Talk? Once, at a gathering, he put his hand over a candle. And he kept it there. He kept it right in the flame until his flesh seared. A woman who was watching asked, "What's the trick?" And he replied. "The trick is not minding.
Potter
Oooh! It damn well hurts.
[trying to copy Lawrence's snuffing a match with his fingers]
Lawrence
Certainly it hurts.
Potter
Well, what's the ], then?
[[trick]
Lawrence
The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts.
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Unraveling the Complexity of Political Scandals
Deep Throat
You thought I'd help out on specifics? I'll confirm what you get, try to keep you on the right track, but that's all. Are you guys really working? How much?
[Woodward nods]
Woodward
I don't know maybe sixteen, eighteen hours a day—we've got sources at Justice, the FBI, but it's still drying up. The story is dry. All we've got are pieces. We can't seem to figure out what the puzzle is supposed to look like. John Mitchell resigns as the head of CREEP, and says that he wants to spend more time with his family. I mean, it sounds like bullshit, we don't exactly believe that...
Deep Throat
No, heh, but it's touching. Forget the myths the media's created about the White House. The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.
Woodward
Hunt's come in from the cold. Supposedly he's got a lawyer with $25,000 in a brown paper bag.
Deep Throat
Follow the money. Always follow the money.
Woodward
What do you mean? Where?
Deep Throat
Oh, I can't tell you that.
Woodward
But you could tell me that.
Deep Throat
No, I have to do this my way. You tell me what you know, and I'll confirm. I'll keep you in the right direction if I can, but that's all. Just... follow the money.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Understanding Power Dynamics in Nixon's Administration
Woodward
Who's ]?
[[Charles Colson]
Rosenfeld
I would liken your query to being in Russia half a century ago and asking someone, "I understand who ] is and ] I got too, but who's this yokel ]?
[[Vladimir Lenin|Lenin; [Leon Trotsky|Trotsky; [Joseph Stalin|Stalin]
Woodward
Who's Colson, Harry?
Rosenfeld
The most powerful man in America is President Nixon, probably you've heard his name. The second most powerful man is Robert Haldeman. Just below him are a trio: ] is Haldeman's friend, and they protect the President from everybody which is why they are referred to as either The German Shepherds or the Berlin Wall. ] we've already discussed. Mr. Colson is the President's special counsel.
[[John Ehrlichman|Mr. Erlichman; [John N. Mitchell|Mr. Mitchell]
Woodward
Thanks, Harry. Know anything about Colson?
Rosenfeld
Just that on his office wall there's a cartoon with a caption reading, "When you've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.
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White House Denies Knowledge of Incident
Simons
Did you call the White House press office?
Woodward
I went over there; I talked to them. They said Hunt hadn't worked there for three months. Then a PR guy said this weird thing to me. He said, "I am convinced that neither Mr. Colson nor anyone else at the White House had any knowledge of, or participation in, this deplorable incident at the Democratic National Committee.
Simons
Isn't that what you'd expect them to say?
Woodward
Absolutely.
Rosenfeld
So?
Woodward
I never asked about Watergate. I simply asked what were Hunt's duties at the White House. They volunteered he was innocent when nobody asked if he was guilty.
Simons
Be careful how you write it.
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Frustration Over Communication Barriers
Carl Bernstein
Look, you've been jerking my chain all day. If there's some reason you can't talk to me—like the fact that you've already leaked everything to The New York Times—just say so.
[to Martin Dardis]
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Demand for Accountability in Journalism
Ben Bradlee
Goddammit, when is somebody going to go on the record in this story?!...You guys are about to write a story that says the former Attorney General, the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in this country, is a crook! Just be sure you're right...Leave plenty of room for his denial.
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Inquiry at the Library about Howard Hunt
Librarian
Library.
Bernstein
Hi. Carl Bernstein of the Washington Post. I was just wondering if you remember the names of any of the books that Howard Hunt checked out on Senator Kennedy.
Librarian
I think I do remember, he took out a whole bunch of material. Let me just go see.
Bernstein
What do you think?
Woodward
Hunt doesn't seem like your ordinary consultant.
Bernstein
Maybe a political operative of some sort.
Woodward
A spy, you mean?
Bernstein
It makes sense; Hunt worked for the C.I.A. and the White House was paranoid about Teddy Kennedy.
Librarian
Mr. Bernstein?
Bernstein
Yes, ma'am.
Librarian
What I said before? I was wrong. The truth is, I don't have a card that Mr. Hunt took out any Kennedy material. I remember getting that material out for somebody, but it wasn't Mr. Hunt. The truth is, I've never had any requests at all from Mr. Hunt. The truth is, I don't know Mr. Hunt.
[pause]
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The Struggle Between Truth and Power
Richard Nixon
The White House has had no involvement whatever in this particular incident.
John Mitchell
All that crap, you're putting it in the paper? It's all been denied. You tell your publisher—tell Katie Graham she's gonna get her tit caught in a big fat wringer if that's published. Good Christ! That's the most sickening thing I ever heard.
Hugh Sloan, Jr.
I've been looking for a job but it's been... hard. My name's been in the papers too much. Sometimes I wonder if reporters understand how much pain they can inflict in just one sentence. I'm not thinking of myself. But my wife, my parents, it's been very rough on them. I wish I could put down on paper what it's like—you come to Washington because you believe in something, and then you get inside and you see how things actually work and you watch your ideals disintegrate. The people inside, the people in the White House, they start to believe they can suspend the rules because they're fulfilling a mission. That becomes the only important thing—the mission. It's so easy to lose perspective. We want to get out before we lose ours altogether.
White House spokesman
On the record let me say just this: the story is totally untrue. On background, I'd like to add that ] is one of the greatest public servants this country has ever had and the story is a goddamned lie.
[[w:H. R. Haldeman|Bob Haldeman]
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Celebrating American Journalism's Impact
Harry Rosenfeld
Benjy, we got a present for you. Above the fold on page one for sure. It may not change our lives one way or the other. Just a good, solid piece of American Journalism that The New York Times doesn't have.
[to Ben Bradlee]
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The Value of Rejection in Journalism
Bob Woodward
This is terrific work, if you like rejection.
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Investigative Progress and Frustrations in Journalism
Simons
Anything?
Rosenfeld
Woodward's onto a new wrinkle with the break-in thing—absolute page one stuff—
Simons
In other words, you got nothing, you're thumbsucking.
Rosenfeld
Could develop.
[shrugs]
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Bob Woodward Introduces Himself and His Role
Bob Woodward
Hi, I'm Bob Woodward of the Washington Post—and—what's that?--you've never heard of me?--I can't help that—you don't believe I'm with the Post?--what do you want me to do, Madam, shout "extra--extra"?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Accountability in Journalism and Its Consequences
Ben Bradlee
Once when I was reporting, ]'s top guy gave me the word they were looking for a successor to ]. I wrote it and the day it appeared Johnson called a press conference and appointed Hoover head of the ] for life... And when he was done, he turned to his top guy and the President said, "Call Ben Bradlee and tell him fuck you." I took a lot of static for that—everyone said, "You did it, Bradlee, you screwed up—you stuck us with Hoover forever." I screwed up but I wasn't wrong. You guys haven't been wrong yet, is that why you're scared shitless? You should be.
[[w:Lyndon B. Johnson|Lyndon Johnson; [J. Edgar Hoover; [Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]
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Pressure to Succeed in Investigative Journalism
Harry Rosenfeld
Woodward, Bernstein, you're both on the story, now don't fuck it up.
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Call for Woodward and Bernstein
Ben Bradlee
WOODSTEIN!
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Trust and Responsibility in Journalism
Ben Bradlee
I can't do the reporting for my reporters, which means I have to trust them. And I hate trusting anybody.
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Questioning Political Ethics and Accountability
Bob Woodward
The head of security for the reelection of a Republican President got caught bugging the national offices of the Democrats? What the hell does that mean?
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Connections in a Limited Network
Carl Bernstein
I lived here all my life, I got a million contacts, but they're all bus boys and bellhops.
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Editorial Standards in Journalism
Ben Bradlee
really said that about ]? Cross out the words "her tit" and run it...this is a family newspaper.
[Mitchell; [w:Katharine Graham|Kathy Graham; Gives a light chuckle, then hands the notes back to Woodward]
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Inquiry into Watergate Connections
Hunt
Howard Hunt here.
Woodward
Hi, I'm Bob Woodward of the Post and—
Hunt
Yes, yes, what is it?
Woodward
I was just kind of wondering why your name and phone number were in the address books of two of the men arrested at Watergate?
Hunt
Good God!
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The Search for the Key Story
Bradlee
Where's the goddamn story?
Woodward
The money's the key to whatever this is.
Bradlee
Says who?
Simons
Deep Throat.
Bradlee
Who?
Simons
Oh, that's Woodward's garage freak; his source in the executive department.
Bradlee
Garage Freak? Jesus, what kind of a crazy fucking story is this? Who did you say?
Simons
He's on deep background, I call him deep... throat.
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Power and Fear in Politics
Bob Woodward
I just don't get it; a CREEP secretary being scared, that's one thing. But what does the wife of one of the most powerful men in America have to be afraid of?
[about Martha Mitchell]
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Advice on Seeking New Connections
Harry Rosenfeld
I can't sell hints to Simons—you called everyone you know? Call someone you don't know.
[to Woodward]
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Nostalgia for a Familiar Gathering
Bernstein
This is practically a high school reunion for us, Jane—I would have sprung for a classier place.
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Debate Over Covering a Controversial Story
Foreign editor
I don't think either Metropolitan or National should cover the story. I don't think we should cover the story, period. It's a dangerous story for this paper.
Bradlee
How dangerous?
Foreign editor
It's not that we're using unnamed sources that bothers me, or that everything we print the White House denies, or that almost no other papers are reprinting our stuff.
Simons
What then?
Foreign editor
Look, there are two thousand reporters in this town, are there five on Watergate? When did the Washington Post suddenly get the monopoly on wisdom? Why would the Republicans do it? ]'s self-destructed just like ], ], the bunch of them. I don't believe this story. It doesn't make sense.
[[George McGovern|McGovern; [Hubert Humphrey|Humphrey; [w:Edmund Muskie|Muskie]
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A Conversation Between Reporters
Bernstein
How's it going?
Woodward
What're you doing?
Bernstein
I'm polishing it a little.
Woodward
You're what?
Bernstein
Polishing.
Woodward
What's wrong with it?
Bernstein
Nothing, nothing, it's good.
Woodward
Then what are you doing with it?
Bernstein
I'm helping it, it's a little fuzzy.
Woodward
May I have it?
Bernstein
I don't think you're saying what you mean.
Woodward
I know exactly what I mean.
Bernstein
Not here. I can't tell from this whether Hunt works for Coulson or Coulson works for Hunt-
Woodward
May I have it, please?
Bernstein
-so many conclusions to this-
Woodward
May I have it?
Bernstein
Yes, I'm not looking for a fight.
Woodward
I'm not looking for a fight either.
Bernstein
I'm just aware of the fact that you've only been here nine months.
Woodward
What's that got to do with anything?
Bernstein
Well, I've been in the business since I was 16.
Woodward
What're you saying?
Bernstein
Look, I'm trying to tell you that if you'd read mine, and then read yours-
Woodward
Can I read yours?
Bernstein
Yeah. I walked by, gave yours a glance, it didn't look right, so I figured I'd just refine it a little. The first paragraph has to have more clarity, the readers gotta understand. You don't mention Coulson's name till the third paragraph. I think mine's better, but you go ahead and read. If you think yours is better, we'll give yours to the desk. I've got Coulson's name up front. He's a White House consultant and nobody knows-
[Woodward takes Bernstein's version and reads them side-by-side]
Woodward
You're right. Yours is better. If you're gonna do it, do it right, here are my notes. If you're gonna hype it, hype it with the facts. I don't mind what you did, I mind the way you did it.
[Goes to his desk, comes back with a bunch of papers]
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Questioning Smoking Habits in Unusual Places
Bob Woodward
Is there any place you don't smoke?
[To Bernstein, getting on an elevator]
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The Burden of Serious Accusations
Ben Bradlee
Now hold it, hold it. We're about to accuse Mr. Haldeman, who only happens to be the second most important man in America, of conducting a criminal conspiracy from inside the White House. It would be nice if we were right.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Watergate: A Story or a Compulsion?
National editor
Let me tell what happened when I was having lunch today at the Sans Souci.
Rosenfeld
Correction—when you were drinking your lunch at the bar of the Sans Souci.
National editor
This White House guy, a good one, a pro, came up and asked, "What is this Watergate compulsion with you guys?
Rosenfeld
Complusion? I think it's a story. This is not a compulsion.
National editor
I said, "Well, we think its important." And he said, "If it's God damn so important, who in the hell are Woodward and Bernstein?
Rosenfeld
Ask him what he's really saying—he means take the story away from Woodstein and give it to his people at the National Desk.
National editor
Well, I've got some pretty experienced fellas sitting around, wouldn't you say so?
Rosenfeld
Absolutely—and that's all they do, sit sit sit—every once in a while, they call up a Senator, some reporting.
National editor
Well, what if your boys get it wrong?
Bradlee
Then it's our asses, isn't it?
Simons
And we'll all have to go to work for a living.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning Professions in a High-Stakes Hearing
Judge
Will you please state your professions.
Barker
Anti-communists.
Judge
Anti-communists? That, sir, is not your average profession. Your name, please.
McCord
James McCord.
Judge
Will you step forward, sir? And what is your occupation, Mr. McCord?
McCord
Security consultant.
Judge
Where?
McCord
Government, uh, recently, uh, retired.
Judge
Where in the government?
McCord
Central Intelligence Agency.
Judge
Where?
McCord
The C.I.A.
Woodward
Holy shit.
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