10. Figured with Lady Gaga on cover of Rolling Stone, no one would even notice what he said on inside pages.

9. Sandbagged by weaselly media aide Duncan Boothby.

8. Was “taking a bullet” for Commander in Chief by creating new controversy that would make public forget about Gulf oil spill.

7. Anyone who thinks this is a big deal wants the terrorists to win.

6. Succumbed to reporter Michael Hastings’ “Chicago-style shakedown.”

5. Was fed his lines by former President Bush.

4. Saw opportunity to curry favor with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who he eventually hopes to shag. Is that so wrong?

3. Assumed that under modern journalism rules, everything was automatically off the record.

2. Did I mention that anyone who thinks this is a big deal wants the terrorists to win?

1. It was the booze talking.