First it was supposed leaks from the Special prosecutor's office and grand jury. Now it is supposed to be the heretofore leakproof White House that is spreading stories in the press. The Washington Times reports:

The White House has begun making contingency plans for the withdrawal of Harriet Miers as President Bush's choice to fill a seat on the Supreme Court, conservative sources said yesterday. 

"White House senior staff are starting to ask outside people, saying, 'We're not discussing pulling out her nomination, but if we were to, do you have any advice as to how we should do it?' " a conservative Republican with ties to the White House told The Washington Times. 

The White House denied making such calls.

"Absolutely not true," White House spokesman Trent Duffy said. 

But the conservative political consultant said that he had received such a query from Sara Taylor, director of the Office of White House Political Affairs. 

Miss Taylor denied making any such calls. 

A second Republican, who is the leader of a conservative interest group and has ties to the White House, confirmed that calls are being made to a select group of conservative activists who are not employed by the government. 

"The political people in the White House are very worried about how she will do in the hearings," the second conservative leader said. "I think they have finally awakened."

Ed Lasky 10 22 05