1. Mediaite
  2. Gossip Cop
  3. Geekosystem
  4. Styleite
  5. SportsGrid
  6. The Mary Sue
  7. The Jane Dough
  8. The Braiser
Advertisement

New Book Confidence Men Alleges Incompetence, Sexism Within Obama’s White House

Video
» 104 comments

So far, it appears that ABC News is the only network to cover a controversial new book shedding a harsh light on the goings-on within Obama’s White House. On Monday, Good Morning America‘s George Stephanopoulos intoduced a segment on the book by calling Ron Suskind‘s Confidence Men nothing short of a “bombshell.”

Jake Tapper then outlined the allegations contained therein, including charges of sexism, disrespect, in-fighting among aides and general incompetence within the administration. Tapper notes, for instance, that former top economic adviser Larry Summers is quoted as telling another top aide that “We’re home alone; there’s no adult in charge. Clinton would never have made these mistakes.” And then there’s former communications director Anita Dunn, who is quoted within the book as saying that “This place would be in court for a hostile workplace because it actually fit all the classic legal requirements for a genuinely hostile workplace to women.” Dunn has since said she does not consider the White House “hostile,” although she is one of several women expressing similar concerns in the book.

And then there’s a passage about Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner outright refusing to carry out an order from Obama to prepare for the dissolution of a major U.S. bank. The White House alleges the book’s author has either misheard or misrepresented what actually went on for the purpose of bolstering his thesis.

Some former aides have also come forward saying that, while a certain level of disagreement is normal and expected, the book offers an inaccurate look at the inner workings of the White House. Nonetheless, the book comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Obama administration, of course, given the President is hoping to gain support for his new jobs plan.

Have a look at the report, via ABC:

Follow us on Twitter.

Sign up for Mediaite's daily newsletter.

Email Twitter Facebook Digg Reddit Stumble Upon Yahoo Buzz LinkedIn Tumblr Delicious
  • Trixie

    What  ,  What , What !

  • Anonymous

    Incompetence?  Let me bring another shocker to the profession of journalism: the sun is hot.  As for the sexism?  Who knows?  It’s not often feminists won’t take a bullet for a liberal and this will be no exception.

  • I May Be Retarded

    Tollbooth !!! FoxNews !  

  • Michelle

    I look forward to NOW’s statement!  HAHA, not!

  • Michelle

    And then there’s former communications director Anita Dunn,
    who is quoted within the book as saying that “This place would be in
    court for a hostile workplace because it actually fit all the classic
    legal requirements for a genuinely hostile workplace to women.” Dunn
    has since said she does not consider the White House “hostile,” although
    she is one of several women expressing similar concerns in the book.

    Since Anita is famous for gushing about Mao, I’m a little surprised this bothers her. 

  • Anonymous

    Finally people are starting to realize what a bunch of incompetent imbeciles Obama and his admin are.

    Better late then never I guess….in truth…..it was very very easy to this back in 2008 for many of us!!

    Too bad soo many under informed people who were brainwashed with Bush derangement syndrome are allowed to vote so we wouldn’t be stuck with the least experienced and most incompetent President ever in the WH!!

  • Anonymous

    New Book Confidence Men Alleges Incompetence, Sexism Within Obama’s White House – Tell us something we didn’t already know. But glad it is getting out to those to dumb to see the neon signs.

  • Anonymous

    ” BOOM ” goes the obama myth dynamite…….

  • I May Be Retarded

    Greta van O’ Bill-o van Karlsen O’ Beckerhead van Craputo O ‘Il Douchey !    FoxNews !  

  • Anonymous

    ,.. awesomee ..

  • Re-Elect Obama 2012

    Suskind also wrote a book about former Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill,  who asserted that Saddam Hussein was targeted for removal not in the 9/11 aftermath, but soon after Bush took office. I wonder where the trolls stood with that book. 

  • Anonymous

    It will be a bombshell if any of the talking heads in the NBC news and politic universe actually address it.  I will wait with bated breath – not.

  • Paul Revere

    This is America. Are you sure it’s not a book about the US Military? Or your local courthouse? Or maybe your workplace?

  • Michelle

    Way to change the subject.   Bush is out of office, get over it!

  • http://twitter.com/Rushlimbang Brian Skinner

    That is no big deal  Clinton himself said Sadaam should be removed when he was president.

  • Anonymous

    I know… Alex might last long at Mediaite with these stories. Tommy is plotting her demise as we speak.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone who didn’t already know what a clusterf*ck the Obama White House is?

  • Anonymous

    Yeah but we’re still broke because of him, dumbass, that was less than 10 years ago.

  • Re-Elect Obama 2012

    Thanks for admitting that Bush lied. 

  • Anonymous

     Kudos to Alex Alvarez , for her ability to report on a wide range of issues , the sense of humor and wit she brings to many stories , and the maturity she shows knowing when to ” straight ” report .

  • Anonymous

    You mean when Bush signed the Iraq Liberation Act? http://tinyurl.com/ryuo2

    Hey, wait a minute!

  • Anonymous

    You mean when Bush signed the Iraq Liberation Act? http://tinyurl.com/ryuo2

    Hey, wait a minute!

  • Anonymous

    You mean when Bush signed the Iraq Liberation Act? http://tinyurl.com/ryuo2

    Hey, wait a minute!

  • Michelle

    Bush may have put the car in drive, but Barry hit the turbo button.  The absolute refusal of you libs to admit that is pathetic. 

  • Anonymous

    Oh, we’re a whole lot more broke now than we were 3 years ago.

  • Hypocrisyjoe

    Love
    this story and author Ron Suskind. He was demonized by conservatives and the
    Bush administration for his books talking about how Bush had a plan to go into Iraq 10 months
    before 9/11 as well as how the administration faked documents to show an Iraq-al-Qaeda
    Connection (see Habbush letter) but now they believe every word he
    writes. Why? Because it’s negative about President Obama. Watch for Hannity to
    praise Suskind and then go back and watch Hannity do everything he could to
    attack Suskind in 2006 and 2008.Typical.

  • Anonymous

    New Book Confidence Men Alleges Incompetence, Sexism Within Obama’s White House

    ..now I’ll just have to UPDATE the list: OBOZO is a shallow, profane, lying, arrogant, platitude-spouting, pompous, inexperienced, smug, Marxist, drug-addicted, elitist, narcissistic, racist, anti-Semitic, “depressed”, flip-flopping gas-bag who is ALSO INCOMPETENT AND A SEXIST.

  • Anonymous

    Well said .

  • Anonymous

    The sexism charge is news.  But the allegations of incompetence….well, that can’t be a surprise to anybody at this stage. 

  • Anonymous

    “So far, it appears that ABC News is the only network to cover a controversial new book shedding a harsh light on the goings-on within Obama’s White House.”

    There’s a big part of story . Who’s covering it ?

    Will journalist Al Sharpton ?

    MSNBC may mention it only to refute it .

    More books coming .

  • Michelle

    All true. Unfortunately, those are things that get you fired from Mediaite.

  • Anonymous

    nobody “admitted” anything – who are you Darla?  That’s her favourite line.  Grow up.

  • Anonymous

    Saddam was targeted long before Bush took the reins. Democrats and Republicans both knew he had to go.

  • john.kliber

    So, incompetence – what a surprise. What did anyone expect from a junior senator with no experience at anything except cashing in on his race for his entire life? Did anyone really believe a man fueled by good will would step into a world class organization and run it on political correctness and hope?

    The guy’s not even at the level of a Triple A ball club and we expect home runs in the majors. Any fool could see it would happen and the only reason Dems still support the guy is they consider a Dem in the White House, any Dem, better than any Rep.

    Throw in Obama’s casual yet endemic racism which in turns see all whites as the endemic racists and you are going to have a little disconnect from reality. He’s a fool and every single person who voted for him is blind.

  • L_Salazar

    Even the libs are after Obama

    From the Chicago Trib “Why Obama should withdraw”
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-chapman-obama-reelection,0,622512.column

    The CBC would march on the white house if Obama wasn’t the president
    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/cbc-chair-wed-be-marching-on-the-white-house-if-not-for-obama-dont-want-to-empower-the-people-who-hate-the-president/

    It doesn’t look good for the President!

  • Anonymous

    Alex you REALLY messed up this time. Tommy and Dan are sharpening their knives as we speak.

  • Anonymous

    Tell that to the Bin Laden family or the folks in Afghanistan who drones is raining down on them. 

  • NomoBeeHO

    ANY McCain voter would have told you this THREE EFFING YEARS AGO.

    -The next time you read the news, you’re ingesting the work of an idiot-

  • Anonymous

    And I forgot to add, thinking about it I do think it may be true:  I just can’t see anyone making up Christina Romer saying ““I felt like a piece of meat.”

  • Anonymous

    Big portions of the book are from Wikipedia and a lot of sources weren’t cited.  Can we say Plagiarism? 

  • Anonymous

    So, you’ve already read it? That’s pretty cool, since it hasn’t been released yet.

  • Anonymous

    yawwwn . i’m sure this book will be as truthful as the one that idiot wrote about Sarah Palin. Anything to make a buck.

  • Anonymous

    yoda is a jedi master, so there you go pablo lol

  • Anonymous

    Hi buddy, some of the portions that have been released are from Wikipedia and other stuff were never cited.  

  • Jason

    Knowing and acknowledging are two totally different things. Most democrats are very stupid, but the stench of failure eminating from this administration is so strong that I don’t think even our most ardent waterhead moonbats could successfully deny it during a polygraph exam.

  • Jason

    Ahhh yes, the good ol’ feminazi’s. I don’t imagine those bitches will manage even a growl.

  • Jason

    Where is “The Real Royal Chimp”?  Mommy take away his internet priveledges?

  • Jason

    Don’t forget “RACIST!!!” and “BOOOOOOOOSH!!!”

  • Anonymous

    yeah pablo , the big portions lol

  • Anonymous

    It’s the economy, stupid.

  • Anonymous

    a thumbs up natureboy…..its all about money, you are right

  • Anonymous

    So the collapse of the US economy under Bush was Clinton’s fault… by your logic.

  • Jason

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!!!!

    *drink*

  • Anonymous

    I guess that can cut both ways.. Did you believe his book on the Bush regime and do not believe him now because it’s about the Obama regime? Not accusing just asking. I haven’t read either book but that analogy of your can cut both ways.

    Although most of the press were critical of it, that slanderous attack book on Palin got much more coverage in the state ran media than this book. I wonder why? (BTW, if it is true that Palin had sex with Glen Rice before she was married, one, who cares, and two, you can’t call her a racist if you believe it. I’ve been to a few race awareness seminars and the root source of racism is sex between the racist, believe it or not. (not say you think she is racist but most liberals believe conservatives are racist by definition)

    And yes, I used the word regime for both administrations. I wasn’t a fan of either.  Although, yes I would vote for Bush over Obama but with a very sour taste in my mouth. Obama is in way over of his head.

    And before anyone accuses me of racism I would vote for Herman Cain over either of them.

  • Bob

    I guess Suskind the hack is hoping to sell books to the few remaining PUMAs.

  • Chris

    These kinds of books come out all the time for all the presidents at various times during their term.  The administration in charge always says it’s “distorted”, “false”, blah, blah, blah.  Those who want to believe it do.  Those who don’t don’t.  Big deal.

  • Jason

    Plagiarism? Why bring Joe Biden into this?

  • Bob

    Typical Republican – make racist charge, and then try to cover it by whining, “they keep calling us racists!” 

  • Bob

    But McCain voters thought Sarah Palin was qualified to be dog catcher, so who cares what they say?

  • Guest

    Hahaha, it’s hilarious to see how that’s become the new conservative talking point. “DON’T MENTION BUSH, HIS TERM IS OVER.” Well, no shit, sherlock. But that term still has repercussions.

  • Michelle

    At one point do you think Barry should starting taking responsibility and stop blaming Bush for absolutely everything?

  • Wake up America

    Oh oh, George is going after Obama now because, he was in Hilliarys corner when was running. Let’s not forget thst George worked for the Clinton admin. Another person going after Obama is James Carvelle. I’m thinking they’re throwing Obama under the bus so Hilliary can drive the bus. Obama is really trying every angle he knows but the incompetence can no longer be overlooked. Plus it appears that some of the people that voted for him are admitting that they made a mistake. So Obama better watch it, because the one thing he’s good at is throwing everyone that gets in his way under the bus. However Hilliary is much smarter then Obama, so look out Obama, don’t get near any bus!

  • ROTFLMAO

    JOURNALIST????AL SHOPTON!!  AL SHOPTON????????
    A month ago Al Shopton couldn’t spell journalist.
    Now he be one!
    lol

  • SILGARY

    A pulitzer prize winner writes a book about the Obama team members past and present, and it gets discredited by the media and a plagiarist writes a book about Sarah Palin and it’s taken at face value.
     How far will this media go to protect this administration? 

  • Anonymous

    Like we needed a book…….

  • ceeza

    Oh so heres where you scampered off to michelle…not gonna answer the BillO questions I see?

  • Michelle

    I didn’t scamper anywhere, stalker!  Man you liberals are totally obsessed with me.  It’s quite flattering.

  • Anonymous

    Very funny!

  • Anonymous

     You were always my favorite Seinfeld character, George. Thanks for the kind words; they mean a lot.

  • Joseph Bernard

    The book is being taken seriously on Hardball right now, you idiots.

  • Hypocrisyjoe

    It does cut both ways, you’re absolutely right. I only read large portions of Suskind’s book and website re: the “habbush” letter and then expolored it on my own. Not sure what is right or wrong but he certainly hit a nerve with it and 2 CIA agents are on record (and on tape) for saying it was fake. Hannity would hear of it. I probably won’t read this book either and very little that’s been said is on the same par as faking documents to go to war. Not a lot compares to such action.

    As for Palin. She’s insignificant to me. Really. People on both sides spend entirely too much time talking about her and she offers nothing positive to the debate or solving problems in the US. It’s all about her. Always. Also I don’t care who she sleeps with before or after her marriage. Having said that, I don’t think her sleeping with a black man proves she’s not a racist anymore than a Republican who is against gay rights and solicits gay sex by trolling craig’s list suggests he’s not a bigot.

    Thanks for the thoughtful reply tho. Not enough of that here or anywhere on the internet.

  • PrezOworst

    whatever Bush pissed away Obama tripled in less time

  • Anonymous

    The author is a Pulitzer Prize winner,  NY Times best-seller, who is critically acclaimed for his research, writing.
    “Price of Loyalty” was awarded the Best Book of 2004 by the investigative Reporters and Editors.
    Basically this isn’t an author who writes expose-type drivel. It will be hard to refute what his claims, at best they will all scramble for damage control or make it a he-said-she-said, must not have understood correctly sort of response. I am surprised there wasn’t more lead up to the release date for the book. 
    This should be fun.

  • Guest

    “Barry”? Cute.

    Anyway, I don’t think “Barry” is making the whole “blame Bush” thing a central piece of his proposals. Fact of the matter is, he did INHERIT (I know you Republicans cringe when you hear that word) a lot of this mess. Now, yes, recovery has been slow and, yes, he has made a few errors on the way. No President is perfect, cupcake.

  • Anonymous

    Not only is this one not perfect, he’s fucking incompetent.

  • Anonymous

    Well, we all know The Today Show will cover it since it covered a much more gossipy, less-sourced, non-pulitzer writer book about someone who isn’t even running for office. 
    Well, at least if The Today Show has consistent standards…

  • Glutton

     McCain voters?  No one regrets voting for Obama over McCain.  The only thing Obama voters regret is that maybe they should have voted for Hillary instead of Obama.  The country would be much worse off with McCain/Palin in office.

  • david r

    I’ll bet every word is the Gospel Truth.  I heard Obama got it on with Glen Rice, too, but it got left out of the book because the author didn’t want to go too hard on Obama.

  • Anonymous

    No sale on your  comment. There isn’t a viable market for your Bush derangement.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1573616653 Scrapette Jones

    God bless Ron Suskind — the truth finally leaks out!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1573616653 Scrapette Jones

    About damn time!

  • Anonymous

    good one…

  • Anonymous

    Bush passed a 700 billion bailout just 3 1/2 years ago…

  • Anonymous

    Bush passed a 700 billion bailout in 2008.. your argument is invalid.

  • Anonymous

    Admit what though? How can you blame Obama only? It’s the entire congress as well. You act like Obama has supreme power but everything he tries to do is obstructed, so he never gets to do anything. You complain he tries to control everything.. but most of the time, he tries to be bi-partisan to the point it angries his base… then you freaks complain anyway. You just have psychological problems and it’s something the left will have to figure out a way to deal with.

  • Anonymous

    Tough spin job for liberals.  It’s hard to claim simultaneously that (1) the book is wrong, and (2) it’s facts are substantiated by other sources.  Just watch Chris and Rachel exclaim:  “The book is full of lies, and they were all published before anyway.”

  • Sean68

    How is it we keep getting these second raters for President? There are over 300 million people in this country. How is it we’ve been so lucky to get Bush II and Obama? Both possessed a sense of entitlement not merited by their abilities, credentials, or accomplishments. And at a time, probably, at our nation’s greatest crisis since 1860. Maybe we can repeal the 22nd Amendment and get Bill Clinton back.

  • Anonymous

    In the Obama regimes defense, I bet they didn’t even realized Anita Dunn & Christina Romer weren’t men…..or even Janet Napolitano for that matter.

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    Yawn!!

  • Anonymous

    Bush Lied !!!  People Died !!!

    *drink*

  • http://twitter.com/Staciisa_bitch Staci Chase

    It sounds like just another tabloid smear on Obama.  

  • Anonymous

    The leftists and liberal media worshipped the ground Ron Suskind walked on when he wrote two Bush bashing books. Check out the glowing reviews those two books got from the NYT, WaPo and all the rest of the liberals.

    If you leftists had any brains you’d realize that the only reason why Obama gave Suskind access is because he thought they were “on the same team” and Suskind would perform EXACTLY the same way as all the rest of the liberal media, kissing his ass…not biting it.

  • Jason

    Agreed. Not sure if Alex is a moonbat, but even if he/she is, they do a good job compared to her co-workers.

  • Jason

    Bob, your white guilt is showing.

  • Jason

    Bob, your white guilt is showing.

  • Jason

    Doubtful, and if people were voting for Obama in order to escape having unqualified morons in the whitehouse, they sure fucking failed. By the way, Hillary would have been smoked by McCain.  She’s terrible in every respect.

  • Jason

    Bill Clinton is a primary reason for the mortgage meltdown, dumbass.

  • danger_mouse

     So you are more inclined to believe this book as it paints Obama in a bad light, but dismiss Joe McGuiniss’s book as ‘tabloid trash’?

    Is it possible that both were written by people simply trying to make make waves and shock/anger as many as possible?

    I know everyone is extra-super-hyper-partisan these days, but I’ll place this work, along with Joe’s book where they belong, ‘fantasy reading’.

  • http://twitter.com/runforfun54 Ilene K

    Palestinians and the Tea Party – more alike than you think:Both take hostages and inflict terror (granted, one is physical, one is financial and emotional)
    Both want it “their way” or the highway
    Both have an aversion to the truth.
    Both say “screw you” to the American taxpayer
    Neither has any respect for our President Just sayin’

  • Anonymous

    Obama is bush meat in 2012.

  • James

    At this stage of this guy’s Presidency, I don’t think many people in this
    country needed a book to point out the incompetence of Obama.
    It is glaring!!!

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, and we got most of that money back, but yet it never seemed to balance out any of Obama’s trillion and a half $ deficits.

  • Anonymous

    BTW, you know who helped get that bailout to Bush’s desk for his signature? Barack Obama.

  • CarmanK

    I am so glad that Obama allowed Suskind access to his staff et als. so that this book could come out. He took on a tremendous responsibility in November 2008, and could not have possible micromanaged all aspects of the fed. This book is a good beginning to making appropriate changes in the administration which gives the president a different perspective and help him going forward. I bought my KINDLE version today. It is worth the read. But, I would urge you to buy good ole Rick Perry’s FED UP. if you want to know what the TPARTY NATION really wants for the future of America, this will inform and for most americans who believe in democracy a  real wake up call.

© 2012 Mediaite, LLC | About Us | Advertise | Newsletter | Jobs | Privacy | User Agreement | Disclaimer | Power Grid FAQ | Contact | Archives | RSS RSS
Dan Abrams, Founder | Power Grid by Sound Strategies | Hosting by Datagram