Seems to me Armitage was trying to help boost Wilson's credibility after questions were raised about his NYT op-ed attacking Bush. I'll bet Wilson/Plame/Armitage were hoping to get Novak to write that Wilson had credibility because he was "in the loop" with knowledgable officials w/out mentioning true relationship. Otherwise, what the heck would Wilson know about WMD?
But it backfired. How could Armitage be linked to Wilson/Plame? Six degrees:
Wilson/Plame -> WPost reporter/leftist Walter Pincus -> Wife Ann Pincus State Intel Div -> Armitage
W Pincus interviewed Wilson/Plame just before Wilson's op-ed was pblished. A glowingly positive Pincus WP article on Wilson was published on same day as NYT op-ed or within a day or so.
Add to your scenario that Armitage sought out an appointment with Novak before the NYT OpEd was published, althought the actual interview took place after its publication.
Seems like there was much nastiness afoot.
Good try at linking people up but doesn't hold water as now Wilson/Plame have named Armitage in their bogus lawsuit against the other principals.