Novak contradicts previous recollection of how he got the Plame info

[sabra]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3131258/

MSNBC
Oct 6, 2003

<snip>

Russert: So you do not believe that they were trying to plant the story with you?

Novak: Absolutely not. I have been a plantee in this town for over 40 years. I know when somebody’s trying to plant a story. This thing—this came up almost offhandedly in the course of a very long conversation with a senior official about many things, many things, including Ambassador Wilson’s report.

In 2003, Novak claims there was no story plant, and the info just came across "offhandedly". However, in today's revelation he claims that Armitage was very specific and even recommended putting it in a column. Additionally, he indicates that Armitage out of no where, after 2 years called him up for a meeting...

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-edt-novak14.html

Novak: Real story behind Armitage's role
September 13, 2006

<snip>

First, Armitage did not, as he now indicates, merely pass on something he had heard and that he ‘‘thought’’ might be so. Rather, he identified to me the CIA division where Mrs. Wilson worked, and said flatly that she recommended the mission to Niger by her husband, former Amb. Joseph Wilson.

Second, Armitage did not slip me this information as idle chitchat, as he now suggests. He made clear he considered it especially suited for my column.

...

A peculiar convergence had joined Armitage and me on the same historical path. During his quarter of a century in Washington, I had no contact with Armitage before our fateful interview. I tried to see him in the first 2 years of the Bush administration, but he rebuffed me — summarily and with disdain, I thought.

Then, without explanation, in June 2003, Armitage’s office said the deputy secretary would see me. This was two weeks before Joe Wilson surfaced himself as author of a 2002 report for the CIA debunking Iraqi interest in buying uranium in Africa.

[H2O Man]

1. You may recall

that our toothless little lap dog Novak had snapped, "I didn't go to them for this -- they brought it to me!" in the late summer of 2003.

[sabra]

2. indeed.

His story gets more and more blurry every time he opens his mouth. Additional today one would conclude that according to Novak, Armitage was trying to "plant" the story...

[H2O Man]

4. Because Novak has

been suspected by the FBI of planning a strategy with Rove in the early days of the investigation, to keep Karl from being fired like he was in the Bush1 days, I think the Wilson legal team needs to depose Mr. Armitage. There are some interesting issues involving timing here. Think of the fellow who ran into Novak that July day, when Novak was barking about "that asshole" Wilson's wife -- and her role at the CIA. Hmmmm? And Armitage didn't know? Then who told Novak? At what time did he speak to Rove?

[warrens]

3. One gets the feeling that this story is far from over

With all that testimony already taken under oath...

[Catherine Vincent]

5. Can't keep the lies straight.

[H2O Man]

6. Poor dehydrated Bob!

Brought out from mothballs this summer, to try to create a stir in the weeks before the Wilsons filed their civil suit. Perhaps now he realizes that the Wilson's legal team may be preparing to depose him. Think quick, Bob! Get your sad story straight!

[creeksneakers2]

7. Novak had two sources

Armitage being one of them does not disprove that there was an agenda to leak the name from the White House. Novak's implication that it disproves White House involvement shows how with the White House program Novak is.

[librechik]

8. gee, which time was he lying?

my guess: BOTH!