Tough Week for The Post and a Star

But Downie comes down strongly on two things: Woodward should have told him that he knew about Plame and he should not have spoken out about the Plame investigation. "He's really famous, and he can't stop being famous," Downie said. "But he is not bigger than the newspaper. He has voluntarily humbled himself and acknowledged his errors."

Many readers think there is more to the story -- that Woodward "is deeply involved" in the Plame case, that he is covering for someone big or trying to get Libby off the hook.

Woodward says no. He presents his learning of Plame's identity much as columnist Robert D. Novak does -- as casual and offhand. I asked Woodward if they had the same source, whom Novak has not revealed -- a source holding Woodward to a confidentiality pledge that prevents him from writing a story he would like to write. "That is a good question. I wish I could answer it."

He believes that "when it all comes out," readers will understand a lot more.

Woodward said he hadn't told Downie about what he knew because he was afraid of being subpoenaed and was focused, "laser like," on writing "Plan of Attack," the story of how the Bush administration went to war in Iraq and a book that both Republicans and Democrats have used to bolster their arguments about the war.

He made his disclosure to Downie when the executive editor called to ask Woodward to help on the Plame story the week Libby was indicted, but the disclosure wasn't made public because Woodward's source wouldn't release him from the pledge of confidentiality. Woodward said it was only after he watched Fitzgerald's news conference that he realized that he knew about Plame before other reporters who had been subpoenaed.

"My news juices started. It was a catalyst to going back" to the source who had given him Plame's name. "But I couldn't get a release" from the pledge. His source went to Fitzgerald and requested that Woodward testify. At that point, The Post had to do a story.

Woodward and Downie were more forthcoming after they had breakfast Wednesday at Woodward's house, where Woodward apologized and ground rules were set.

What now? Woodward ought to have an editor; every reporter needs one. Downie needs to meet with him frequently or assign him to another top-line editor here. In any case, an editor needs to know what he's working on and whom he's talking to. The Post needs to exercise more oversight. Woodward needs the grounding a good editor gives.

It boils down to this: There ought to be clear rules, easy for readers and Post staffers to understand, about Woodward's job at The Post. He has to operate under the rules that govern the rest of the staff -- even if he's rich and famous.

Deborah Howell can be reached by phone at 202-334-7582 or by e-mail atombudsman@washpost.com.