Defense Department Mum On Woodward Book

The Pentagon is declining to comment on veteran journalist Bob Woodward’s upcoming book “Obama’s Wars” after details of the book appeared in the press Tuesday evening.

“We haven’t read the book, so [we] can’t comment on what might be in it,” Pentagon spokesperson Col. David Lapan told reporters Wednesday.

According to an article in the New York Times, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is depicted in the book fretting that National Security Adviser Gen. James L. Jones would be replaced by Deputy Adviser Thomas Donilion.

In addition, the Times says that the Pentagon sent a request to the White House asking the President for 4,500 troops to assist the additional 30,000 announced in December.

“All I can say at this point is that the Department is fully focused on the mission at hand in Afghanistan and implementing the President’s strategy,” Lapan said.

Lapan could not answer what level of cooperation Secretary Gates may have had with the Woodward.