Speculation: did someone call Woodward RE: Plame?

[shockingelk]

I don't see a very forceful attack on Woodward in response to his book (yet). Could it be that Woodward is one of the journalists to whom the WH leaked the identity of Valarie Plame?

I have always thought Woodward was acting to as to keep and maximize access to the WH ... perhaps someone can find the thread from March 22nd or 23rd that linked to http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A12215-2003Mar22 - a Woodward article that claimed the invasion of Iraq had begun before Bush* gave his "ultimatum" to Saddam.

Dunno - it's speculation of course, but it seems like Woodward has something on the administrating that he's keeping as leverage.

[Eric J in MN]

1. Bob Woodward is a hero to journalists.

Bob Woodward is a hero to journalists.

If Bush and his associates try to smear Woodward, the press will get sick of Bush.

[shockingelk]

3. They already insult the press wholesale!

The WH press corp has been shoved into a tiny room. Questions are evaded as a matter of course. Bush* has personally insulted many members of the press. I don't see how they could act more hostile to the press than they already do! I would think Woodward is "fair-game" in their book - yet criticism has been tepid ...

[Dover]

2. Still can't understand why such a secretive group as Bushco who apply

such pressure on their "team" to remain closed lipped, gave Woodward such access and so much intimate detail.

The actual invasion of Iraq began months before we actually went in, in March. I remember reports of critical U.S. hits on communications and other critical targets in the months leading up to March. I'm guessing Franks ordered those hits in preparation for the attack.

[eileen from OH]

4. I'm thinking two things -

1. Colin Powell is this book's "Deep Throat."

2 Somewhere in the administration is a REAL Deep Throat. Remember, it's not just that Plame was outed, but someone over there CONFIRMED it.

Woodward played this one like a total master. The last book set 'em up and baited the hook (remember how on DU Woodward was trashed for the slurpfest?) That got him TREMENDOUS access. They thought they were dealing with Brit Hume and forgot that he was the guy who helped bring down another crook President.

eileen from OH

[shockingelk]

5. hell, I could see Rummy turning against

There is that saying "The victor gets to write history" ... if things continue to go downhill ,for Bush*, I could bee any number of people jumping ship and pleading for leniency because they're being cooperative.

Even Rummy - one of his "rules" is that there has to be a reason Article I (legislative) of the Constitution comes before II (executive) ... if it's clear that push comes to shove, who is going to stand with Bush and Cheney?

[neoteric lefty]

6. No, no, no

Rummy is too deep into the doo doo to try to get out. PNAC, 80's arms sales to Saddam, the Iraqi war. He is too deep in to it to turn state's evidence or whatever. Hopefully he goes down with the ship like Cheney and the boy emporer.

[shockingelk]

7. this is what he could do

He is fond of deferring questions in this manner: "I'm only doing what I'm told to do. You should address your question to someone with a higher pay grade".

He could say he was fulfilling his duty to carry out instructions from above, and (rightfully) argue that he would be shirking his sworn responsibilities if he contradicted orders.

That said, I believe such a scenario is much more likely to apply to Powell.