Nothing Deep Throat revealed was a military or diplomatic secret, or was involved with espionage or classified data. The very term "classified" means that the information in question has been identified and specifically designated as of national importance by official, responsible authority. If Deep Throat had been caught and exposed he would have been guilty of no crime. The secrets he brought to light would not have been useful to an enemy of the US, or damaging to its friends. They were only embarrassing to the real traitor, Richard Nixon.

Whether Daniel Ellsberg was a traitor or hero is a matter for the courts and history to decide. His secrets were indeed classified, but the fact they were publicly exposed and he took his chances with the law gives him a moral authority Snowden does not have.