BEST HEADLINE OF THE DAY:

Source: Cheney Isn't Woodward's Source (JOHN SOLOMON, Nov 17, 2005, The Associated Press)

Vice President Dick Cheney is not the unidentified source who told Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward about the CIA status of the wife of Bush administration critic Joseph Wilson, a person familiar with the investigation said Thursday.

Woodward did not talk with the vice president that day, did not provide the information that's been reported in Woodward's notes and has not had any conversations over the past several weeks about any release for allowing Woodward to testify, said the person, speaking on condition of anonymity.

For an old, fat, bald guy with a bum ticker, that Cheney cat can sure dodge bullets.

MORE:
COLIN: I'M NO 'DEEP THROAT' (DEBORAH ORIN, 11/18/05, NY Post)

Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, a prime suspect, said via spokeswoman Lisa Bonner, "There's no comment from this office. There hasn't been in the past and there won't be in the future."

Powell ruled himself out via spokesman Peggy Cifrino while former Undersecretary of State Marc Grossman's spokesman took a question but didn't answer. Another top ex-State official, Carl Ford, said: "No, I'm not [Woodward's source]."

Ruled out by lawyers or administration officials were President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, White House chief-of-staff Andrew Card, political guru Karl Rove, counselor Dan Bartlett and — yesterday — National Security Adviser Steve Hadley.

Former CIA chief George Tenet, his deputy John McLaughlin and his spokesman Bill Harlow were all ruled out by a former CIA official.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 18, 2005 11:46 AM