Luskin used conversation with Ms. Novak as a tool in defense strategy

[kpete]

Did Time Burn a Source?
Conversation Disclosed in Print

Time’s account of the conversations between Mr. Luskin and Ms. Novak arrived on newsstands Nov. 28. On Dec. 2, The New York Times reported on the substance of one conversation, writing that Mr. Luskin had learned from Ms. Novak that his client, Mr. Rove, might have spoken with Time’s Matt Cooper about Ms. Wilson.

That fact was significant because, at the time, Mr. Rove may not yet have told Mr. Fitzgerald about this conversation, and because Mr. Cooper was under pressure to reveal his source. The Washington Post reported on Dec. 3 that Mr. Luskin was using this conversation with Ms. Novak as a tool in his defense strategy, though exactly how (or if) this detail helps Mr. Rove remains murky.

So did Time magazine burn Mr. Luskin? Or did he waive his confidentiality when he came clean to Mr. Fitzgerald?

According to a person familiar with Time’s thinking, the feeling at the magazine was that any kind of understanding between Mr. Luskin and Ms. Novak was made moot when Mr. Luskin came forward to Mr. Fitzgerald. By approaching the special prosecutor and saying that he had learned of his client’s conversation with Mr. Cooper from Ms. Novak, he had turned the tables, making Ms. Novak the source. So who were they to protect?

“They were concerned that it would be perceived that she was doing Rove or Luskin a favor and not doing her job,” said one source. “What they are doing this week is trying to even the score.” Or pre-empt getting scooped.

http://www.observer.com/media_newsstory1.asp