“Until the August 1 story about the Dahlberg check, the working relationship between Bernstein and Woodward was more competitive than anything else. Each had worried that the other might walk off with the remainder of the story by himself. If one had gone chasing after a lead at night or on a weekend, the other felt compelled to do the same.-- Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward”
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Analysis of Quote by Carl Bernstein
In this quote, Carl Bernstein reflects on the working relationship between himself and Bob Woodward during their investigation into Watergate. He describes their initial dynamic as competitive, with each journalist worried that the other might steal the story. This sense of competition drove them to work even harder, prompting each to follow up on leads independently and with a sense of urgency. This quote highlights the dedication and determination of Bernstein and Woodward in uncovering the truth behind the Watergate scandal, showcasing their relentless pursuit of the story.
Modern Relevance
In today's fast-paced and competitive media landscape, the dynamic between Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration and teamwork. Their mutual trust and cooperation ultimately led to the uncovering of the Watergate scandal, showcasing the power of partnership in investigative journalism.
Teamwork and Competition in Journalism
“Until the August 1 story about the Dahlberg check, the working relationship between Bernstein and Woodward was more competitive than anything else. Each had worried that the other might walk off with the remainder of the story by himself. If one had gone chasing after a lead at night or on a weekend, the other felt compelled to do the same." - Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward.
Reflecting on the Dynamic between Bernstein and Woodward
In this quote from Carl Bernstein, he reflects on the competitive nature of the working relationship between himself and Bob Woodward during their investigation into the Watergate scandal. This dynamic of competition and mutual concern over who would break the next piece of the story sheds light on the intense pressure and dedication they both felt in pursuing the truth. Take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
- How did the competitive nature of Bernstein and Woodward's working relationship impact the progress of their investigation?
- What does this quote reveal about the level of commitment and dedication Bernstein and Woodward had to uncovering the truth behind the Watergate scandal?
- How do you think the dynamic between Bernstein and Woodward contributed to the ultimate success of their investigation?
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“Bernstein looked like one of those counterculture journalists that Woodward despised. Bernstein thought that Woodward's rapid rise at the Post had less to do with his ability than his Establishment credentials.They had never worked on a story together. Woodward was 29, Bernstein 28.-- Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward”
“The August 1 story had carried their joint byline; the day afterward, Woodward asked Sussman if Bernstein's name could appear with his on the follow-up story - though Bernstein was still in Miami and had not worked on it. From the on, any Watergate story would carry both names. Their colleagues melded the two into one and gleefully named their byline Woodstein.-- Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward”
“The managing editor shared Bernstein's fondness for doping things out on the basis of sketchy information. At the same time, he was cautious about what eventually went into print. On more than one occasion, he told Bernstein and Woodward to consider delaying a story or, if necessary, to pull it at the last minute if they had any doubts. 'I don't care if it's a word, a phrase, a sentence, a paragraph, a whole story or an entire series of stories,' he said. 'When in doubt, leave it out.'-- Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward”
“Back at the office, Woodward went to the rear of the newsroom to call Deep Throat. Bernstein wished he had a source like that. The only source he knew who had such comprehensive knowledge in any field was Mike Schwering, who owned Georgetown Cycle Sport Shop. There was nothing about bikes - and, more important, bike thieves - that Schwering didn't know. Bernstein knew something about bike thieves: the night of the Watergate indictments, somebody had stolen his 10-speed Raleigh from a parking garage. That was the difference between him and Woodward. Woodward went into a garage to find a source who could tell him what Nixon's men were up to. Bernstein walked into a garage to find an eight-pound chain cut neatly in two and his bike gone.-- Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward”
“Sussman had the ability to seize facts and lock them in his memory, where they remained poised for instants recall. More than any other editor at the Post, or Bernstein and Woodward, Sussman became a walking compendium of Watergate knowledge, a reference source to be summoned when even the library failed. On a deadline, he would pump these facts into a story in a constant infusion, working up a body of significant information to support what otherwise seemed like the weakest of revelations. In Sussman's mind, everything fitted. Watergate was a puzzle and he was a collector of the pieces.-- Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward”
“Rosenfeld went to work for the Herald Tribune after his graduation from Syracuse University and has always been an editor, never a reporter. He was inclined to worry that too many reporters on the metropolitan staff were incompetent, and thought even the best reporters could be saved from self-destruction only by the skills of an editor. His natural distrust of reporters was particularly acute on the Watergate story, where the risks were very great, and he was in the uncomfortable position of having to trust Bernstein and Woodward more than he had ever trusted any reporters.-- Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward”