What is certain is that only a few Romney hands know the details of the vice presidential selection process, making this year's iteration of the "veepstakes" -- a quadrennial feeding-frenzy of gossip and often ill-informed speculation -- one of the most secretive and leak-free endeavors in recent memory.

CNN: Romney risks playing running mate hand too early

The arrangement let Casey conduct his most secret work largely free from the risk that details would leak.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | CIA Director William Casey: His Analysis And Plain Speech Help Him Lead The Agency to the Top

In the fall of 2005, editors enjoyed a free hand to report on a catastrophic chemical leak in the Songhua River.

NEWYORKER: The Forbidden Zone

It has been my experience that when a stock is in free fall, it is common for someone with a vested interest in moving the stock higher either to leak the correct information or simply to start a rumor.

FORBES: RIM Buyout Report Unmasks Amazon Phone Ambitions