What is the difference between Valerie Plame and Mary McCarthy

In this morning's WSJ the lead editorial asks what is the difference between the Valerie Plame affair and the Mary McCarthy affair. They conclude that in the first instance - where an employee of the Administration leaked information about either a Ms. Plame's husband or actually about Ms. Plame - although the neighborhood knew all about Ms. Plame's supposedly secret job - as opposed to the second - where a CIA employee was fired for leaking classified information - is the position of the press.

In the Plame affair it supports some in the press who would like to totally discredit the Administration. In the second, ditto. There is some truth to the conclusion. Plame was not outed and even if she was, her husband was discredited as a liar with a heavy political agenda - Plame's husband had/has a political agenda. McCarthy, with a supposedly higher motive, leaked information that was classified in an effort to discredit the Administration. The Administration should have had the tools to respond to Plame's husband's assertions AND it should have the ability to fire an insubordinate employee who violates national security policy. But most of the press ignores both imperatives.

The Journal points out that there are plenty of other examples each with the same types ideological cuts. That is not helpful.