(AP – Washington) Bob Woodward, assistant managing editor of The Washington Post, and Judith Miller, former New York Times reporter, announced today that they will collaborate on a new book titled, “License to Shill”.
“I’ve always wanted to share a byline with Bob” said Miller “I’ve embedded with a lot of famous men during my career, but I predict this will be something really special.” Woodward also said he looked forward to the coupling. “Judy Miller’s reputation is nothing short of legendary. I think it will be great for us finally to get down to business.”
Woodward and Miller say “License to Shill” will be an unvarnished expose chronicling their unprecedented access to Bush Administration sources. Media watchdogs have long warned that such intimate contact with news sources compromises a journalist’s ability to report the truth.
Woodward and Miller have come under heavy criticism recently for their roles in the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame by the Bush Administration. Although senior Administration officials told Bob Woodward back in June 2003 that Plame was a CIA operative, Woodward finally admitted only this week that he had been a recipient of the leak. Likewise, Judy Miller spent 85 days in jail for contempt of court before finally appearing before a Grand Jury in October to testify about her discussions with Vice President’s Chief of Staff Lewis ‘Scooter’ Libby.
Both reporters cite journalistic privilege for their refusal to report on the leak of highly classified information by top White House officials. “I took a stand on principle,” said Miller, “After all, Scooter’s my friend – and he really digs my Aspen.”
Woodward was also unapologetic. “Hey, outing a CIA operative isn’t really that important. I mean, the CIA can always get another spy, but if I burn my source, how do they expect me to get another exclusive White House book deal? THAT’s important!”
Now that have been forced to admit what they know, Woodward and Miller say they have nothing to lose in writing a tell-all book about their time as White House propagandists. Miller, who won a Pulitzer prize in 2002 for her reporting on global terrorism, sees the book as a way to polish her tarnished reputation. “It will be a great, soul cleansing experience. Like a gentle bidet after a long night of passion.”
Woodward also looks forward to the work. “Judy and I had a great run,” said Woodward, “But now that the cash cow’s dried up, no reason not to get what we can for the carcass.”
The pair also hope “License to Shill” will help promote passage of a Federal Shield Law currently being considered in Congress. Similar to the privilege already enjoyed by priests, lawyers and doctors, the legislation would protect journalists from having to testify in court about their contacts.
Woodward sounded almost Cochranesque in his support of the law. “How can they let some junk-yard dog of a prosecutor mess with my livelihood like that? I don’t care how big the story; if I can’t sell it, I don’t tell it.”
Judy Miller also supported passage of the statute. “I may not be a priest,” said Miller, “but I’ve heard a lot of confessions in my day that NOBODY should have to talk about.”
Miller says that she and Woodward hope to have “License to Shill” published “either right before or right after the 2006 elections.” When asked about the uncertainty in the timing of such a potentially damaging book, Woodward responded, “It really just depends on how much they pay us to keep quiet.”
Originally posted @ Hoot at the Dark and crossposted @ dKos
