http://www.observer.com/20060306/20060306___media_offtherecord.aspNew York Times White House correspondent Elisabeth Bumiller is close to signing a deal with Random House to write a biography of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Ms. Bumiller plans to go on a yearlong book leave beginning in June. Reached by phone on Feb. 27, she confirmed her book plans but declined to discuss specifics.
“I’m writing a biography of Condi,” she said.
Amanda Urban, Ms. Bumiller’s agent, was traveling and unavailable for comment.
While the book project is good news for Ms. Bumiller, it has been less so for her husband, Times diplomatic correspondent Steven Weisman. Executive editor Bill Keller has told Mr. Weisman that he must relinquish the State Department beat to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest, since his wife’s book will cover the same subject area.
Mr. Weisman declined to comment on the proceedings.