That could very well be the reason for the whole brouhaha. Joe knew that higher-ups were looking into his trip, and decided to "get out in front of the story" by making his own accusations in the New York Times. Smokescreen, in other words.
I think Wilson thought he could be responsible for bringing down a sitting president and jumped at the opportunity. He obviously isn't the brightest person and failded to realize the whole affair was made up and would never fly.
I wonder what the level of coversation is at the Plame/Wilson dinner table now that even the WaPo says that the person most responsible for ending Plame's mediocre CIA career was her darling hubby? LOL!!