Reply #29: Sure.

[H2O Man]

He had a long history of diplomatic and intelligence service. As his book and numerous court documents from the Libby trial show, he had a substantial work history in the part of Africa where Niger is located. The CIA often uses people from embassies for assignments, because their employment with the State Department provides them with "official cover" (unlike Valerie, who worked without "official cover").

In the later years of the Clinton administration, Wilson was tasked by the CIA with examining reports having to do with yellow cake in that region. He did the investigation, and reported his findings. There is zero evidence that anyone disagreed with anything from that report.

When VP Cheney requested the CIA look into a new report indicating a possible attempt by an Iraqi official to discuss the sale of Niger's yellow cake, the CIA selected the person they considered most qualified. Wilson had a work history in several local countries, was on good terms with key people in Niger, and had previously made an acceptable report.

Dick Cheney was certainly aware of Wilson's previous report. There is no evidence -- none -- that he had any disagreement with that report, or any problem with Joseph Wilson. The problems did not begin until two things took place: Wilson told people that the administration was misrepresenting his findings, and the OVP made the connection between Wilson and the specific work that Valerie Plame was involved in.