"An Evening with Bob Woodward" at NY HIstoric Soc-Prescient Discussion on Press & Politics

Bob Woodward (b Amer 1943) is an investigative journalist, reporter for The Washington Post and author.  He & Carl Bernstein will forever be associated with uncovering Nixon's involvement in what has become known as the Watergate Scandal ("All the President's Men") which lead to Nixon's resignation.  Woodward was in discussion with Akhil Amar, Prof os Law at Yale, albeit to promote his most recent book "The Last of the President's Men" (2015) a retread of the Nixon tapes and Alexander Battlefield's role in revealing them.  Stop the presses - yesterday's news, more topical & combustible are  concerns for Pres Trump's view "The press as the enemy of the people."  Woodward said the most important tactic for a resourceful journalist is  "showing up."  He did say it would be "fun to interview Trump on sodium pentothal."  Prof Amar pointed out Woodward having written biographies on the last 8 presidents.  It appeared evident Woodward was being political.  He never took a critical stance against Trump so as not to hinder his chance for  a coup interview.  The 45 minute talk & 15 minute Q& A was rather tame at a time of Trump's trope the media is totally corrupt.  Asked, what he would consider "off limits" in reporting he was replied Baron & children in the White House, unless they're actively involved in official roles and anything posing a danger to national security.  Woodward shared parts of his Obama.  "Obama's biggest worry was nuclear weapons going off in an American city."  Woodward stated "world leaders were not afraid of Obama," and, "Trump was handed a mess."  (Again, groundwork for a path to a presidential interview in my view.)  Woodward felt Pres Ford was the most corrupt for pardoning Nixon.  This, in my opinion,  is a grandiose promo for his investiagive journalist reporting of Watergate.  Woodward did question Ford why he granted Nixon a pardon.  Ford replied, "{I} needed to take Nixon off the front page.  The country couldnt stand it.  (Who doesn't think he got the job with this proviso?)   Woodward quoted Trump saying "I bring out rage in people.  Power is fear."  The hour with Bob Woodward was engaging but not enlightening.  Trump's war with the media is extremely disturbing.  My take away was Woodward is playing with an ace up his sleeve to sweep the pot with another presidential interview to add to his lot.