My letter to a WaPo reporter

Dear Ms. Leonnig,

You wrote:

Carol D. Leonnig: Though neither journalist has identified the source publicly, both have said the official was casually providing a tidbit of information and did not seem to be trying to generate a story to discredit Wilson's mission.
LINK

According to the public statements I have been able to find, Novak has not suggested that it was a mere “tidbit” nor was it “casual”:

NOVAK: Two senior administration officials told me Wilson's wife suggested sending him to Niger to investigate the Italian report. LINK


Newsday, July 22, 2003 - "Novak, in an interview, said his sources had come to him with the information. "I didn't dig it out, it was given to me," he said. "They thought it was significant, they gave me the name and I used it.""

Meet the Press, October 3, 2003 - "No I didn't commit a crime by publishing her name. If she is a covert operative and the person who gave me the name-uh, uh, uh knew that..."

Referring to the Newday interview from July 22nd, Novak says"[T]hat was an interview right after the column appeared....That isn't very artfully put and what I was trying to say was that I didn't do an investigative report in the CIA, going into the bowels of the CIA talking to agents - what I meant was that the senior official had given me her name."

Perhaps I have misinterpreted these statements by Novak or there is a statement by him that I am unaware of. If so, I would appreciate your help in clearing up this matter.


Thank you,