OK, this part: We now know that 'Jeff Gannon' had access to classified CIA documents that contained the identity of undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame.
We know no such thing. A full 10 days or more before Gannon's interview with Wilson, where he asked Wilson about this memo, was published, the WSJ did an article about this memo.
Then a couple months later in December, the WaPo did this article saying the CIA denied the description of the memo and raised hints about why "conservative news outlets" had heard about it. A few days later, Talon News wrote an article about the WaPo raising questions and Jeff Gannon directly says his source was not the administration.
It is my considered opinion that the answer is elementary...his source was the WSJ article plus some more digging on his own perhaps.
The salient point to keep in mind is the source relied on by the "conservative news sources" turned out to be 100% correct. The sources the WaPo had ("CIA officials) turned out to be wrong. That says much.
Now, as to Fitzgerald, he has Gannon on his list already. I have every confidence that Fitzgerald is indeed looking into this memo and why "CIA Officials" were misrepresenting it. It is outrageous that an elected official would purport a reporter "had access" to it when it has a) not been established it was even classified and b) She is focusing on one reporter out of several.
I'll go try and read the letters more thoroughly but I certainly do hope Fitzgerald is on the case and I think he is.
The reference to "U.S. intelligence officials" might also refer to individuals other than CIA personnel - one of the prominent players in all of this seems to be Greg Thielmann who was assigned to the State Dept. Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He apparently retired at some point after this meeting was held.
This is beginning to fit. Did Thielman write or receive the memo? It was written by someone at State.
We know that Thielman and Wilson have similar views on the administration and the Iraq war. Is it possible that this was an intentional self-outing with the intent of boosting book sales, undermining the war, and embarrassing the despised Bushies?
thank you for your # 26