Is is possible that someone other than Novak and the Leaker knew who the leader was? I think so... well sort of... Novak says that when he testified before the grand jury Fitzmas already knew the identity of the leaker.
That means the leaker had to testify before Novak.
Powell testified in July of 2004. Surely Novak testified before that.
People at the level of secretary of state tend to cover their rumps. They don't really leak anything that might come back to bite them.. They have it leaked by someone who hints to the reporter that he is really speaking for the real source.
That way the real source can truthfully say I did not leak this story.
It may be that Powells designated leader is the original source.
most of the speculation is around Armitage. Woodward named Armitage, for one, so he's a known source.
Armitage 'cooperated' with Fitzgerald's grand jury, whatever that means.
I think it means he told the truth about this non-crime.
Since Armitage hasnt come forward publicly, Novak will not reveal his name publicly.
"They have it leaked by someone who hints to the reporter that he is really speaking for the real source. .... That way the real source can truthfully say I did not leak this story."
... and Armitage was Powell's right-hand man, completing the loop.
I may be in the minority here, but IMHO Novak has been a class act here, defending journalistic principles while cooperating with the investigation and not grandstanding ... *and* not giving the Lefties their "Fitzmas".