--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Watergate is an immensely complicated…" description: "\"Watergate is an immensely complicated scandal with a cast of characters as varied as a Tolstoy novel.\" — Bob Woodward" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/194/bob-woodward-5424_casts_watergate-is-an-immensely-complicated-sc_1177163.jpg" --- # Watergate is an immensely complicated scandal with a cast… ![“Watergate is an immensely complicated scandal with a cast of characters as varied as a Tolstoy novel.” quote by Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/194/bob-woodward-5424_casts_watergate-is-an-immensely-complicated-sc_1177163.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/194/bob-woodward-5424_casts_watergate-is-an-immensely-complicated-sc_1177163.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/194/bob-woodward-5424_casts_watergate-is-an-immensely-complicated-sc_1177163.jpg) > “Watergate is an immensely complicated scandal with a cast of characters as varied as a Tolstoy novel.” [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Watergate scandal involved many intertwined players and complex events, making it as intricate as a classic novel. **In simple terms:** Watergate was a tangled political scandal. Key Takeaway Recognize complexity before simplifying. Themes politics history journalism Mood analytical serious Type historical explanatory When to use this quote - political analysis - media studies - legal investigations Key Concepts investigative reporting power abuse ethical dilemmas Questions to Reflect On - How does narrative framing affect public perception? - What lessons can modern journalism learn? A Different Perspective Complexity can obscure accountability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Casts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/casts/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Complicated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicated/) [Complicated Scandal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicated-scandal-3437091/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Scandal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scandal/) [Varied Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/varied-tolstoy-3437093/) [Watergate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watergate/) [Watergate Immensely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watergate-immensely-3437092/) ## Related quotes > [The source known as Deep Throat provided a kind of road map through the scandal. His one consistent message was that the Watergate burglary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/the-source-known-as-deep-throat-provided-a-kind-of-road-map-through/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [“he fought hard against corruption in all forms, especially with the Canal Ring (every scandal during this time seems to have the word "ring"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-rubbinaccio/he-fought-hard-against-corruption-in-all-forms-especially-with-the/) [Michael Rubbinaccio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-rubbinaccio/) > [I think the media has become incredibly corrupt. We used to have a profound tradition of investigative journalism in the United States. Some journalists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-think-the-media-has-become-incredibly-corrupt-we-used-to-have-a/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [The French were mystified about the Watergate scandal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-salinger/the-french-were-mystified-about-the-watergate-scandal/) [Pierre Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-salinger/) > [Vice President Dick Cheney reportedly has been disturbed over what he sees as the erosion of presidential powers since the Watergate scandal and has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-thomas/vice-president-dick-cheney-reportedly-has-been-disturbed-over-what-he/) [Helen Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-thomas/) > [“In its broadest sense, the scandal of Watergate arose from the tumultuous and destabilizing trends of the 1960s, especially the war in Vietnam and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-patterson/in-its-broadest-sense-the-scandal-of-watergate-arose-from-the/) [James T. Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-patterson/) > [We're not going to have another Watergate in our lifetime. I'm sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/we-re-not-going-to-have-another-watergate-in-our-lifetime-i-m-sure/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [There may yet be another Watergate book. I have thought a book about the aftermath of Watergate and its impact could be done, perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/there-may-yet-be-another-watergate-book-i-have-thought-a-book-about/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [The biggest rap on me is that I don't find a Watergate every couple of years. Well, Watergate was unique. It's not something Carl…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/the-biggest-rap-on-me-is-that-i-don-t-find-a-watergate-every-couple/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [Nixon had some large achievements in foreign affairs. They will be remembered. But a president probably gets remembered for one thing, and Watergate will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/nixon-had-some-large-achievements-in-foreign-affairs-they-will-be/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [I suspect there have been a number of conspiracies that never were described or leaked out. But I suspect none of the magnitude and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/i-suspect-there-have-been-a-number-of-conspiracies-that-never-were/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [It would seem that the Watergate story from beginning to end could be used as a primer on the American political system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/it-would-seem-that-the-watergate-story-from-beginning-to-end-could-be/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [Lawyers didn't seriously get involved in the Watergate stories until quite late, when we realized we were on to something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/lawyers-didn-t-seriously-get-involved-in-the-watergate-stories-until/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [The fact of the Watergate cover-up is not nearly as interesting as the step into making the cover-up. And when you understand the step,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/the-fact-of-the-watergate-cover-up-is-not-nearly-as-interesting-as/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [Way before Watergate, senior administration officials hid behind anonymity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/way-before-watergate-senior-administration-officials-hid-behind/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) ## More by Bob Woodward > [Certain political figures think when you call them and ask them for a comment; that you are somehow doing something that you shouldn't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/certain-political-figures-think-when-you-call-them-and-ask-them-for-a/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [“Maybe that would be less crucial under Obama, Podesta thought, because Obama's approach was so intellectual. He compared Obama to Spock from Star Trek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/maybe-that-would-be-less-crucial-under-obama-podesta-thought-because/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [Way before Watergate, senior administration officials hid behind anonymity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/way-before-watergate-senior-administration-officials-hid-behind/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [Not a season passes without new disclosures showing Nixon's numerous attempts at criminal use of his presidential powers and in fact the scorn he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/not-a-season-passes-without-new-disclosures-showing-nixon-s-numerous/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [The cloud of doubt that surrounds political figures tends to remain and never dissipate or be clarified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/the-cloud-of-doubt-that-surrounds-political-figures-tends-to-remain/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [Sometimes,doing nothing is the best reaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/sometimes-doing-nothing-is-the-best-reaction/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [Getting up in the morning and having work you love is what makes life different for people. If you get into a position where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/getting-up-in-the-morning-and-having-work-you-love-is-what-makes-life/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [The number of illegal activities were so large that one was bound to come out and lead to the uncovering of the others. Nixon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/the-number-of-illegal-activities-were-so-large-that-one-was-bound-to/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [The failure of the system to deal quickly was attributable to Nixon's lying, stonewalling and refusal to come clean. So it took 26 months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/the-failure-of-the-system-to-deal-quickly-was-attributable-to-nixon-s/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [The biggest rap on me is that I don't find a Watergate every couple of years. Well, Watergate was unique. It's not something Carl…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/the-biggest-rap-on-me-is-that-i-don-t-find-a-watergate-every-couple/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [There are people who take rumors and embellish them in a way that can be devastating. And this pollution has to be eradicated by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/there-are-people-who-take-rumors-and-embellish-them-in-a-way-that-can/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [“I'm done doing this!' Obama said, finally erupting. 'We've all agreed on a plan. And we're all going to stick to that plan. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/i-m-done-doing-this-obama-said-finally-erupting-we-ve-all-agreed-on-a/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [“He never really voice pure, raw outrage to me about Watergate or what it represented. The crimes and abuses were background music. Nixon was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/he-never-really-voice-pure-raw-outrage-to-me-about-watergate-or-what/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [It was accountability that Nixon feared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/it-was-accountability-that-nixon-feared/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) > [Lawyers didn't seriously get involved in the Watergate stories until quite late, when we realized we were on to something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-woodward/lawyers-didn-t-seriously-get-involved-in-the-watergate-stories-until/) [Bob Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) [Explore all 100 Bob Woodward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-woodward/) ## More Casts quotes > [Everything comes home, my mother used to say; every word spoken, every shadow cast, every footprint in the sand. 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We all just focused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-jacobson/i-was-focused-on-the-hunger-games-movie-with-my-director-with-the/) [Nina Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-jacobson/) > [All my life I've been involved with racial politics. I was a Freedom Rider in the South. I was the author of books on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hayden/all-my-life-i-ve-been-involved-with-racial-politics-i-was-a-freedom/) [Tom Hayden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hayden/) > [God hath work to do in this world; and to desert it because of its difficulties and entanglements, is to cast off His authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/god-hath-work-to-do-in-this-world-and-to-desert-it-because-of-its/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [The bullet that will kill me is not yet cast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-bullet-that-will-kill-me-is-not-yet-cast/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [All progress in literary style lies in the heroic resolve to cast aside accretions and exuberances, all the conventions of a past age that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/havelock-ellis/all-progress-in-literary-style-lies-in-the-heroic-resolve-to-cast/) [Havelock Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/havelock-ellis/) > [And as regards Adam and Eve we must maintain that before the fall they were virgins in Paradise: but after they sinned, and were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/and-as-regards-adam-and-eve-we-must-maintain-that-before-the-fall/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [I think that people who stand up for what they believe in, no matter how unpopular, should be celebrated, not cast aside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-lancaster/i-think-that-people-who-stand-up-for-what-they-believe-in-no-matter/) [Craig Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-lancaster/) > [Unless a man gives himself entirely to the Cross, in a spirit of humility and self-abasement; unless he casts himself down to be trampled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-the-evangelist/unless-a-man-gives-himself-entirely-to-the-cross-in-a-spirit-of/) [Mark the Evangelist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-the-evangelist/) > [Now, we are agreed, I and my destinies. 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