Details about the Feith memo—“Summary of Body of Intelligence on Reporting Iraq–al Qaeda Contacts”—and the CIA’s response to it can be found in Senator Carl Levin, “Report of an Inquiry into the Alternative Analysis of the Issue of an Iraq–al Qaeda Relationship,” October 2004. The report can be found at http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/supporting/2004/102104inquiryreport.pdf. See also Stephen Hayes, “Case Closed,” The Weekly Standard, November 24, 2003.
The account of the dismissal of Bush campaign worker Brad Dayspring is based on interviews with confidential sources. For the White House’s reaction to the November aardwolf from the CIA station in Baghdad, interviews with Maguire and a confidential White House source.
For Eckenrode’s use of the waivers, interviews with confidential sources. The account of Valerie Wilson’s apology for posing for Vanity Fair is based on interviews with confidential CIA sources. For Joseph Wilson’s defense of the photograph, The Politics of Truth, pp. 409–410. The account of Fitzgerald reading leak case files on New Year’s Eve is based on interviews with a confidential source.
CHAPTER 18: THE PROSECUTOR VERSUS THE PRESS
The account of Senator Peter Fitzgerald’s selection of Patrick Fitzgerald for the U.S. attorney position is based on interviews with Senator Fitzgerald. For details on Patrick Fitzgerald’s background—and his “I have zeal” quote—see Peter Slevin, “The Prosecutor Never Rests; Whether Probing a Leak or Trying Terrorists, Patrick Fitzgerald Is Relentless,” The Washington Post, February 2, 2005. For the 9/11 Commission’s conclusion on Fitzgerald’s raids on the two Islamic charities, see 9/11 Commission Report, p. 472. Fitzgerald’s August 7, 2002, letter to The New York Times and the paper’s response can be found in “Exhibits to Affirmation of Patrick Fitzgerald,” New York Times v. Gonzales, United States District Court for Southern District of New York, Civ. 7677, November 19, 2004. For Fitzgerald’s continuing investigation of the Islamic charities leak and his request to issue subpoenas, interviews with Mark Corallo. For Bush’s 2004 State of the Union speech, confidential interviews with White House speechwriters. Kay described his January meeting with Bush in an interview with the authors. Tenet’s speech can be found at www.cia.gov/cia/public_affairs/speeches/tenet_georgetown. Drumheller described his participation in the drafting of the speech in interviews with the authors.
For Fitzgerald’s interview with Novak, Robert Novak, “My Leak Case Testimony,” syndicated column, July 12, 2006, and interviews with a confidential law enforcement source. For Libby’s testimony before the grand jury, “Libby Grand Jury Testimony Excerpts.” For Maguire’s actions in Iraq in the first months of 2004, interviews with Maguire. The account of Shahwani’s visit to the Oval Office is based on interviews with confidential sources. For the involvement of Scorpions in the Abed Hamed Mowhoush incident, see Josh White, “Documents Tell of Brutal Improvisation by GIs; Interrogated General’s Sleeping-Bag Death, CIA’s Use of Secret Iraqi Squad Are Among Details,” The Washington Post, August 3, 2005. Larry Diamond describes the memo he sent Rice in Squandered Victory: The American Occupation and the Bungled Effort to Bring Democracy to Iraq (New York: Times Books, 2005), pp. 61–62. Articles that reported Aras Habib’s arrest warrant include Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball, “Rethinking the Chalabi Connection,” Newsweek.com, May 19, 2004 (updated May 20, 2004), and Scott Wilson, “U.S. Aids Raid on Home of Chalabi; Iraqi Criminal Probe Seeks Associates of Ex-Ally of Pentagon,” The Washington Post, May 21, 2004.
For Miller’s phone call to Bill Keller about Adnan Ihsan Saeed al-Haideri, interviews with confidential New York Times sources. The account of The Washington Post’s cooperation with Fitzgerald is based on interviews with confidential Post sources. For Floyd Abrams’s meeting with Fitzgerald, interviews with Abrams. For the Senate intelligence committee report’s reference to Valerie Wilson having “offered up” her husband’s name, SSCI Report, p. 39. For Joseph Wilson’s assertion that the CPD officer claimed he was misquoted in the report, The Politics of Truth (New York: Carrol & Graf Publishers, paperback edition, 2005), p. lvi.
Russert’s grand jury testimony can be found in “Tatel Decision,” pp. 31–32. For Russert’s “not one word” quote, an interview with Russert. Cooper described his phone conversation with Libby in “What Scooter Libby and I Talked About,” Time, November 7, 2005. The account of the Cooper deposition is based on interviews with a law enforcement official and lawyers involved in the case, including Abrams.
CHAPTER 19: THE FINAL SHOWDOWN
Cooper’s “everything in my notebook” quote comes from Susan Schmidt, “Reporter Held in Contempt of Court Again in Leaks Probe,” The Washington Post, October 14,2005. For Abrams’s assessment that “our chances were significantly less than even,” Floyd Abrams, Speaking Freely: Trials of the First Amendment (New York: Penguin, 2006), p. 292. The accounts of the internal discussions at The New York Times and Time about the leak case are based on confidential interviews with employees at each publication.
Charles Duelfer’s final report on WMDs in Iraq can be found at www.cia.gov/cia/reports/iraq_wmd_2004/. Rod Barton wrote about Tenet’s visit in his March 29, 2004, resignation letter. It can be found at www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2005/20050214_rodbarton/resignation.htm. For Duelfer’s personal conclusion on Saddam Hussein’s WMD, a confidential interview with a source who helped draft the Duelfer report.
The account of Rove’s October 2004 grand jury appearance (during which he turned over the Hadley e-mail) is based on a confidential interview with a source close to Rove. For Cooper’s exchange with Bush, Cooper, “What I Told the Grand Jury,” Time, July 25, 2005. The reference to Miller’s concerns about her relationship to the Times’ legal team and her hiring of Robert Bennett is based on confidential interviews and interviews with Robert Bennett. See also Brenner, “Lies and Consequences; Sixteen Words That Changed the World,” Vanity Fair, April 2006. For Cooper’s “great career move,” see Howard Kurtz, “Contempt & Praise for Reporter: Facing Jail, Judith Miller Gains Support for Stance,” The Washington Post, February 16, 2005. The Robb-Silberman Report footnote on its lack of conclusions on how policy makers used prewar intelligence can be found on p. 247. For Norman Pearlstine’s meeting with the Time Washington bureau, confidential interviews with Time employees present at the meeting.
Richard Sauber described his role in the last-minute negotiations between the Cooper and Rove camps in an interview with the authors. A copy of the proposed statement Sauber sent Rove’s lawyer was obtained by the authors. For Miller’s efforts to find a way out of jail and her subsequent interactions with Libby, interviews with Bennett, Abrams, Joseph Tate, and confidential sources. See also “The Miller Case: A Notebook, a Cause, a Jail Cell and a Deal,” The New York Times, October 16, 2005. A copy of Libby’s letter to Miller can be found at www.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/national/nat_MILLER_051001.pdf.
For Miller’s testimony to the grand jury, “My Four Hours Testifying in the Federal Grand Jury Room,” The New York Times, October 16, 2005. The account of the public squabble between Miller’s and Libby’s lawyers is drawn from letters written by Abrams (representing Miller) and Tate (representing Libby). Miller’s remark about knowing the “difference between a defense lawyer and a First Amendment lawyer” was made to one of the authors at a blogging conference in November 2006.
For Miller’s return to the Times, interviews with Don Van Natta, Jr., and confidential Times sources. Keller’s October 21, 2005, memo can be found at http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=10541.
AFTERWORD: NO REGRETS
The account of Karl Rove learning of Fitzgerald’s decision not to prosecute him is based on interviews with a confidential source and Anna Schneider-Mayerson, “Rove Case Lawyer Blackberries Karl: Fitzgerald Called,” The New York Observer, June 19,2006. For Pete Yost’s observation on the end of the Rove investigation, Pete Yost, “Analysis; Telling the FBI the Truth Saved Rove; Misleading Public Helped White House,” Associated Press, June 13, 2006.
The account of Robert Luskin’s interactions with Viveca Novak and how Luskin used these meetings to defend Rove is based on interviews with Luskin, Viveca Novak, and a lawyer representing a White House official in the leak case. See also Viveca Novak, “What Viveca Novak Told Fitzgerald,” Time.com, December 11,2005. The account of Fitzgerald deciding not to charge Rove with a crime is based on confidential interviews. For Fitzgerald not seeking charges against Armitage and Armitage contacting the prosecutor after the Libby indictment, interviews with confidential sources. For Woodward’s role in this episode, “Testifying in the CIA Leak Case,” The Washington Post, November 16, 2005, and “Woodward Was Told of Plame More than Two Years Ago,” The Washington Post, November 16, 2005. For Woodward’s “I was astounded” quote, transcript of Larry King Live, CNN, November 21, 2005. Miller shared her reaction to the news of Woodward’s involvement in the leak case with one of the authors at a conference on blogging on November 16,2005. Woodward’s quotes regarding his suspicions about his source being Novak’s source and his source’s refusal to discuss this are from interviews with the authors.
Moskowitz’s “not connecting the dots” quote comes from an interview he granted the authors shortly before his death in 2006. For Pillar’s quotes, see the transcript of his Council on Foreign Relations presentation in Washington, D.C., on March 7, 2006. Feith’s quote—“The administration sold it the way it sold it”—is from an interview with the authors.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ALL BOOKS are collaborations.
We are fortunate to share the same agent, Gail Ross, who was a full partner—perhaps a majority partner—in this project. She conceived the idea, put the authors together, and gave the book its name. Hubris would not exist had it not been for her. Her enthusiasm was matched by that of Steve Ross, the publisher at Crown, who fully backed this project from start to finish—and never once expressed concern (at least not to us) about the tight deadline set for the book. Rick Horgan, our editor at Crown, was a steady and calm force. His comments improved the manuscript and encouraged us to keep moving.
We owe our gratitude to the entire team at Crown for working hard to bring this book to life: Cindy Berman, Amy Boorstein, Tina Constable, Jill Flaxman, Linda Kaplan, Min Lee, Matthew Martin, Julian Pavia, Philip Patrick, Laura Quinn, Annsley Rosner, Barbara Sturman, and David Tran. Chris Jackson, once an editor at Crown, also deserves credit for getting us started. Howard Yoon, an associate of Gail Ross, provided valuable input.
Cora Currier contributed essential research services. She was a diligent and good-natured colleague who dug out detail after detail, often unearthing facts we didn’t know existed. Sam Schramski took on last-minute research projects, fact-checked the final chapters, and helped bring the project over the finish line. We thank him for the long hours he put in when we needed assistance most. Clarisse Profilet aptly and cheerfully handled the initial research tasks for this book. We could not have written this book without their help. They will always have our thanks—and recommendations for any job applications.
MICHAEL ISIKOFF thanks his editors and colleagues at Newsweek, first and foremost, onetime Washington Bureau Chief and now Assistant Managing Editor Daniel Klaidman, who provided wise counsel and support at every stage and gave him the freedom to pursue this project, indulging the author far more than other bosses might have. He also expresses his appreciation to the rest of the Newsweek brass: President Richard Smith, Editor Mark Whitaker, Managing Editor Jon Meacham, National Editor Tom Watson, and Periscope Editor Nancy Cooper. He has especially benefited from the insights of his longtime sidekick and “Terror Watch” colleague Mark Hosenball, who knows more about the subject of this book—most notably the machinations of the Chalabites—than any other journalist in the Western world, as Meg Ryan can readily attest. During Isikoff’s reporting on the war on terror and Iraq intelligence screwups over the past five years, the Newsweek research staff, especially Ruth Tenenbaum, Judy Ganeles, and Sam Register, tenaciously hunted down hard-to-find information and checked facts on a moment’s notice in the face of countless deadlines. Jamie Reno, as always, was helpful in San Diego. The reporting and writing of Isikoff’s Newsweek colleagues—particularly John Barry, Howard Fine-man, Michael Hirsh, Wes Kosova, Evan Thomas, and Richard Wolffe—informed his understanding of this subject. The logistical support of Gail Tacconelli and Steve Tuttle was indispensable. Isikoff would also like to salute the ultimate boss, Donald Graham. All journalists should be fortunate enough to work for a supreme leader whose first instinct is to stand by the troops when they come under fire.
As always, Isikoff would like to thank his ever-supportive family: Trudy Isikoff, who kindled his interest in politics many years ago; Nancy Isikoff and the entire Falby clan: Bruce Falby, Jacob Falby, Daniel Falby, and Anna Falby. A special word above all goes to Willa Isikoff, never far from the author’s thoughts. A superb wordsmith on her own, Willa will someday write far better books than this one.
For her wisdom, wit, unflagging support, and endless patience, Isikoff thanks—and offers his love to—Mary Ann Akers. This book would never have been finished without her. But that is only the beginning of the author’s debts.
DAVID CORN thanks his colleagues at The Nation magazine, especially Editor and Publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel, who allowed him to take time away from his magazine duties to work on this book—and who enthusiastically encouraged him over the past years to pursue the lines of inquiry that led to Hubris. Victor Navasky, now publisher emeritus, will always have Corn’s gratitude for naming him Washington editor and granting him free rein. President Teresa Stack was rather understanding about the leave that made this book possible. Ari Berman, a reporter in the magazine’s Washington bureau, offered companionship and moral support. Contributing Editor Marc Cooper was always available with sage counsel, especially at the most difficult moments. His friendship is deeply treasured by the author.
Corn thanks others at The Nation who have enabled him to do the work he thoroughly enjoys: Amiri Barksdale, Roane Carey, Joan Connell, Scott Klein, Judith Long, Peggy Randall, Betsy Reed, Peter Rothberg, Karen Rothmyer, Mary Taylor Schilling, Peggy Suttle, Lisa Vandepaer, and Mike Webb.
Corn also is grateful for the support provided by an assortment of friends, relatives, and colleagues during this project—and during a time when he was not always able to reciprocate: Ruth Corn, Ken Corn, Gordon Roth, Diane Corn, Steven Corn, Barry Corn, Amy Corn, Coby Laanstra-Ypma, Jan van der Baan, Fokke Laanstra, Nynke Laanstra, Stephanie Slewka, Horton Beebe-Center, Tim Weiner, Kate Doyle, Micah Sifry, Jack Shafer, Julian Borger, Bertis Downs, Henry von Eichel, Andrew Cockburn, Leslie Cockburn, Kirk Lamoreaux, Julie Burton, Roger Hickey, Conrad Martin, Steven Prince, Alex Walker, Reid Cramer, Sonya Cohen, Sally Kern, Stephen Kern, Jenny Apostol, Marco DiPaul, Ted Mankin, Joe Pichirallo, and Mitch Kaplan. Peter Kornbluh deserves a special mention for constantly supplying sound advice and never-ending encouragement.
Most of all, Corn thanks Maaike and Amarins, his daughters, and Welmoed Laanstra, his wife, for the daily joy and nourishment they provide him. Welmoed, be it duly noted, was another full partner in this project. She maintained the Laanstra-Corn household, as one member disappeared all too often, and managed to remain a visionary in her own field. This book could not have happened without her patience and exceptional (and inspiring) fortitude. For this and so much more, Corn loves and admires her. And Maaike, seven years old, and Amarins, five years old, understood (mostly) why their father occasionally had to turn down their invitations to read together or play—and began writing their own books.
We also thank our sources, especially those who trusted us with their confidences. Any mistakes in this book, of course, belong only to the authors—not our sources. And we can blame each other.
*1A secret Justice Department memo written after 9/11 concluded there were “no limits” on presidential power when it came to waging the war on terrorism. The memo, written by a young lawyer named John Yoo, stated that the
president “may deploy force preemptively” against any terrorist group “or the states that harbor them,” regardless of whether “they can be linked to the specific terrorist incidents of September 11.” The president’s decisions in a time of war, Yoo wrote, were “for him alone” and “unreviewable.” Yoo’s memo provided the legal underpinnings for a host of controversial actions that would include clandestine domestic eavesdropping conducted by the National Security Agency.
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*2That same day, while at Camp David with Tony Blair, Bush declared that an International Atomic Energy Agency report had concluded that in 1998—when UN weapons inspectors left Iraq—Saddam’s regime had been six months from producing a nuclear weapon. He also said a new IAEA report showed that Iraq had recently been rebuilding its nuclear sites. An IAEA spokesperson immediately said that no such 1998 report existed; to the contrary, the IAEA in 1998 reported it had demolished Iraq’s nuclear weapons program. (The White House later suggested that 1991 press reports supported Bush’s statements.) The IAEA also said it had issued no new report warning of any worrisome construction at nuclear weapons sites.
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*3In 2004, Entifadh Qanbar, an INC spokesman, told theColumbia Journalism Review,“We did not provide information. We provided defectors. We take no position on them. It’s up to you reporters to decide if they are credible or not.”
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