I mentioned the other day the story Armitage’s colleagues told Corn and Isikoff raises interesting questions for the 1X2X6 story; I’d like to explain why. First, let’s review the timing:
September 26: DOJ launches an investigation into the Plame leak
September 28: Priest and Allen publish the 1X2X6 article
September 29: Novak and Rove speak about the leak–Novak assures Rove he will protect him
September 29 (evening): DOJ officially notifies the White House of the investigation
September (unknown date): Colin Powell, in a meeting in the Situation Room, declares that "everyone knows it" with regards to the Plame affair–it is disputed whether he referred to Wilson’s identity, or Plame’s
October 1: In response to the 1X2X6 article, Novak publishes his "partisan gunslinger" column
October 1: According to Isikoff and Corn, in response to Novak’s column, Armitage first tells Powell of his conversation with Novak–Powell informs Abu Gonzales, but doesn’t provide details
October 12: 1X2X6 source reiterates claims
Now, we can’t be sure, because there are a few claims that are suspect in this timeframe (the meaning of Powell’s comment, the timing of Armitage’s "realization" that he was Novak’s source, and the veracity of a claim Jeffress later made about Libby’s knowledge of Novak’s source), but this raises several interesting questions.