Maybe the lease is up on their old space and they are looking to move to similar or even smaller space, not to expand.

Mistakes happen. Mature adults admit them. Its Okay. Keep after it, Steve

Thanks Jon & Maxwell -- The only mature thing to do is to be straightforward, which I very much try to do. I think that when I say something "is" happening -- even if fragile -- I double source. Otherwise, I occasionally report rumors but note that they are, in fact, unsubstantiated rumors.

This one did miff me though as I worked pretty hard to confirm it. And then it fell apart today.

best,
Steve Clemons

Thanks for keeping us updated. Don't beat yourself up over the mistake. We appreciate your scoops and your honesty. It adds to your already stellar credibility. Hope you are feeling better.

re target letters on Tuesday: Condi was wooing the Canucks with a full meeting schedule but after a telephone call from Washington, she cancelled everything and flew back to DC, That bad, huh?

Steve, your sources may have been correct. But keep in mind that perhaps someone gave them a very nasty call to both of these people reminding them of confidentiality issues on this. I would keep that in mind. It's all just a little suspicious that 2 sources could be so wrong on the exact same thing. Kudos to you for reporting back on this though.

Could you take a few minutes and give a lesson to the NY Times on how to handle retractions in a classy manner? I think they could learn a lot from you.

Steve,

At least you tried to multi-source and when it didn't correlate you reported it, which is exactly what a good journalist is suppose to do. Not like a so called "journalist" we have recently read of, who whines that when "...your sources are wrong, you are wrong..." but never bothered to write a retraction or a follow up.

Let me issue a disclaimer; this episode might not be an instance of what I am about to suggest. But, I think we should be alert to the fact that from this point on, there is going to be a concerted subtle, and no-so-subtle campaign of disinformation from WH operatives in an attempt to discredit Fitz and especially the leftblogshere over the coming months. One unfortunate and unavoidable effect will be to make the release of legitimate news slower as sources are checked and counter checked. But, in the long run, it will have the positive effect of making those items that are released sounder and more reliable. What it cannot be allowed to do is to stop or weaken the resolve of Steve and others like him to get at the truth and get it to us. Keep hitting it Steve, you are one of the best!

Steve,

Stuff happens to all of us. The truly professional -- such as yourself -- admits the error and moves on.

You have advanced to the top of my 'A' list, by virtue of your perspicacity, perseverance and honesty.

Well done! And, get well soon.

Katherine

Don't worry about it, Steve. Thanks for being straight up with your readers.

Everyone gets it wrong once in awhile (or in your case, I think its just slightly off a bit). It just takes a big person to admit it. My sources have also told me something is up with office space... So, I think something is up.

--- What I think is happening however, is that you have had it correct all along, about the chain of events. The problem is though, things have changes, Fitz is trying to force people into talk, and/or, they decided to talk, which has changed his plans... I dont think we will ever know what is truly going on... But, we should know of an indictment of one person (libby would be my guess) tomorrow.

It's ok to "Yeehaw! for no good reason, too. lol!

just missing one word - "sorry"

It's ok to "Yeehaw! for no good reason, too. lol!

Everyone makes mistakes Steve,but responsible people admit to them and correct them much like you did.The exception of course is our so called leaders in Washington.Keep up the responsible reporting and much peace and respect to you and yours Steve.

"b" (@3:56):

Why should Steve apologize? He did everything right and by the book - he double-sourced his story, and promptly retracted it when his sources backpedaled. I see nothing for which Steve ought to be sorry. Please, educate me. What am I missing?

1) If only Judy Miller were as forthcoming.

2) Now that you've admitted error, the Republicans will strike your name from their list of potential nominees. You are free to feel relieved.

The fact is that Steve is just a victim of leftist delusion.

Fitzgerald won't indict Rove or Libby tomorrow.

The suspense is driving me crazy. When will we know what the grand jury decided?!

Thanks, Steve, for your as-usual honest reporting.

You just got the building wrong. He's in the building across the street on New York @ 14th... at least, that's what the gaggle of reporters stretched out on lawnchairs with cameras told me this morning when I walked by. I looked up and realized they were staking out the building on the opposite corner from the one in the photograph... 'Course, *they* could be wrong, too.

b: I'm not sure that he needs to say, "sorry" when sincerely and openly retracting a previously honest report.

He's already shown respect and integrity to his readers - a more personal expression of apology does not seem necessary.

Wouldn't that be akin to his asking for kudos after making an honest report in the first place :) ?

"in this case it was wrong."

That pretty well takes care of the retraction formalities for me. You can tell from Steve's tone that he regrets the way things developed, so I don't need him to say "sorry".

Re: Fitzgerald and office space. Check the Recorder's office for D.C. Should have an on-line site. Any lease would generally be recorded. Look under U.S. Gov. etc. and see if there's anything there.

Also the dates on the indictment announcements were incorrect. This is blog journalism and your following forgives it.

Steve,

Nothing harder than admitting a mistake. I, for one, appreciate your forthright discussion of the process of reporting and retracting this story. Oddly enough, from where I sit, the whole episode actually enhances your credibility. Bravo.

I think it's pretty obvious there are going to be no indictments. John Dean called it correctly.

Here's how the story could be "true but not true."

It's my understanding that the Special Counsel's office would not be the leasing entity in any event, but rather the GSA on Special Counsel's behalf.

So did you ask if another governmental entity did the leasing on behalf of Fitzgerald?

Steve - maybe you were right before you were wrong.
Not hard to believe that Fitzgerald planned to or started to lease space and then some government office space rules person stepped in to say he could not do this.

Dear "b" -- You are actually right. Along with a retraction of this sort should come a note, "sorry." I am sorry that this was an incorrect report -- even if I did have multiple sources. One can always go further. Unfortunately, I was operating from bed -- sort of sidelined by a physical ailment after a car accident -- and let the two sources I had send me ahead without doing more. But thanks for the note and comment.

Steve Clemons

Steve,,,

A new member of your readers here. So far I am very impressed by your professionalism and honesty when facts turn out to be not correct.

On all the Democrat Blogs,,,yours is enjoyable to read and i have gotten several key news items.

Hope,,You recover nicely from your accident and keep up the reporting,,,I for one, will be reading your blog daily.

Don't Forget,,,a Merry Merry Fitzmas is coming in the morning.

Bill

I'm with ted and others on this.....

I think your information was correct when you reported it, but that something happened. As Mrs. K8 suggests, Fitzgerald's office probably did not have the authority to lease space itself, but did reach an agreement of some kind to lease the space.

Sometimes by reporting something that is happening in secret, you wind up changing the event itself. That doesn't mean you were wrong, although at times it can make you look foolish. :(

I've seen conflicting reports (in this list: the ability to extend this panel again) from The Washington Post, The New York and Los Angeles Timeseses... it's a tough set of facts to call accurately and timely

I do wish you had a better description of your source though. (Judicial, lawyer, etc. etc. etc.)

Plus, irony of ironies (as Kurtz noted) that so much is on background about a case potentially prosecuting background sources.

Hey Steve:

Somedays chicken, ... somedays feathers ...

On the real issues, still waitin' fer the shoes to drop ....

A guest (Steve McMahon -- graphic called him "DNC Advisor" on MSNBC just said "we know that the prosecutor is leasing office space."

In my lawyering days I handled lots of commercial leases. And based on my experience, it wouldn't surprise me if a lease was actually signed, but that it was contingent on certain approvals/signatures or other conditions -- verification of usable square footage, agreement on build-out, etc.

Or perhaps an option to lease space was signed, and your sources were close but no cigar

You may well turn out to be more right than you think.

Feel better soon!

Thanks for your honesty. I was going to post that no 'apology' was required; an honest mistake which you corrected. But I guess in the spirit of Fitzmas and all you were feeling generous so said "I'm sorry." But let's not get extravagant - there will be more indictments, and more mistaken sources.

I'm frankly troubled by Dean's prediction that no indictments will come down, based on his proximity and his historical experience. On the other hand, perhaps he's viewed as an "unfriendly"--he certainly would be invited to 60 Minutes or some such show if big-time indictments were handed out--and doesn't have the access that might otherwise be assumed.

Dean hasn't been really out front on this, but then again, he doesn't splash around a lot anyway.

Dean argues that if it can be shown that BushCo acted out of a sincere concern for national security--although how outing Plame achieves greater national security I have no idea--they will walk.

I wonder if this "former senior administration official" is the same one talking to John Dean. (From the Murray Waas article in National Journal,
http://nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2005/1027nj1.htm

"A former senior administration official familiar with the discussions on whether to turn over the materials said there was a "political element" in the matter. This official said the White House did not want to turn over records during an election year that could used by critics to argue that the administration used incomplete or faulty intelligence to go to war with Iraq. "Nobody wants something like this dissected or coming out in an election year," the former official said.

But the same former official also said that Libby felt passionate that the CIA and other agencies were not doing a good job at intelligence gathering, that the Iraqi war was a noble cause, and that he and the vice president were only making their case in good faith. According to the former official, Libby cited those reasons in fighting for the inclusion in Powell's U.N. speech of intelligence information that others mistrusted, in opposing the release of documents to the Intelligence Committee, and in moving aggressively to counter Wilson's allegations that the Bush administration distorted intelligence findings."

Thanks for correcting the record. I've had to do the same on occasion---it's embarassing but cleansing.

Steve,

Richard Sale, an Intelligence Correspondent, picked this same tidbit up and has it within an article, "State told Libby of agent's identity", http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/

Perhaps he obtained it from your site or worse, maybe from the same disinformation spicket.

Just discovered you, Steve C., and all of you, through Post yesterday(ok so one comes to some good things a little later in life). Thanks for the Wilkerson event/text and hope you will feel better soon (it does get worse, been there). A karma-driven cautionary note re indictment glee (from an agnostic) -- the human toll in terms of public service is so dreadful, one should not have to be extraordinarily brave, strong, and financially insulated or a loon to take it on(of course I fantasize about all of them taken away in chains or at least Cheney out of the picture, but was brought up to be civil).

At any rate, appreciate the edification (am a blogging virgin).

Horrible news===NY Times reporting that Scooter Libby will be Indicted for "False Statements".

Karl Rove won't be Indicted but will be still under investigation by the Grand Jury.

the NY Times also reporting that the SP Fitzgerald has asked for and granted a Extension on the GRand Jury.

This is Horrible News

John Dean is just jealous that someone is stealing his notoriety.

Wow. Blog commentators this blinded? Um... a 2nd grader could see that "Steve" is a typical plant. And not a bush, those spread too much. I do NOT whap my little palms together in accolades for this personage, *or* his detractors. The plan of the idiots goes on, supported by morons like this blog.

Welcome to the world of shame.

ducq

Steve, you win points on credibility for standing up tall when you retract. If the New York Times had done this over the years, there would be a lot fewer people toasting their current embarrassment. If the Bush Administration had done it, we wouldn't be facing disaster at home and abroad.

May the road rise up and meet you.

Geez Louise, Steve, you had just been HIT BY A CAR! Don't worry about it, and keep up the great work.

I like your site. Hope you get well soon.

If Fitz doesn't indite, we are in big trouble. All our investors buying 3 Billion a day in bonds are looking at USA's ability to get rid of an administration endangering the stability of their investment.

Thanks,

Don't predict the future!

Not a problem Steverino - happens to the best of 'em.

Have some chicken soup and get some rest.

I also admire you for letting your readers know as soon as possible. I have the feeling that your information was correct and that something fishy is going on.

What could Fitzgerald have meant that something Rove said gave him "pause". With these criminals and Wilson saying his wife has been threatened and someone at DU wrote that Mrs. Wilson was told by the CIA to call 911 if she had been threatened? That is scary too. I don't know the DU latest breaking source from yesterday but I thought Fitz and the Wilson's were getting extra protection from CIA or the side of the CIA that had requested the Special Prosecutor.