I'm sure he did have permission to speak to Woodward, but there is no way the President didn't feel Card's back stab in this situation. As an inner circle adviser to our Commander in Chief, blabbing confidential advice to get rid of Rumsfeld in a time of war, should never have reached the media's ears.
That was Card's fundamental problem. He listened to the Junk Media. He seems to think if he appeased them with Rummy's head that would help the President. He never quite grasped then reality that Washington Politics is a blood sport. You conquer or die. There is no peaceful coexistence with the DC Establishment. Card was way more RINO then I think many people, including the President, realized.