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From Kristof's May article:

I'm told by a person involved in the Niger caper that more than a year ago the vice president's office asked for an investigation of the uranium deal, so a former U.S. ambassador to Africa was dispatched to Niger. In February 2002, according to someone present at the meetings, that envoy reported to the C.I.A. and State Department that the information was unequivocally wrong and that the documents had been forged.

The "person involved" cited above was none other than Joe Wilson.

Yes, it does not say that Cheney personally requested Wilson be sent, that is how the MSM would proceed to characterize it. And all evidence is that is how Wilson was pleased to have it perceived.

"I'm told by a person involved in the Niger caper that more than a year ago the vice president's office asked for an investigation of the uranium deal, so a former U.S. ambassador to Africa was dispatched to Niger."

Parse that sentence however you want, and tell me what part of it is false.

I don't think anyone ever considered the idea that Cheney 'sent' Wilson until Cheney folks started screaming that Wilson had lied about Cheney sending him.

As far as what Wilson 'wanted' people to believe, that is a rather comical approach on this story. One could just as easily say that, when McClellan said there was no involvement, he 'wanted' people to believe that neither Rove nor Libby told or confirmed for any reporter than Wilson's wife was employed by the CIA.

As I've said many times, I doubt either broke any law. But disclosing that his wife was at CIA [I know you know this, but if they didn't know her role at CIA, they were under an obligation to find out and confirm that it wasn't classified before talking about it to reporters] was a cheap move for those who are entrusted with significant roles in running this country.

Absolutely, which is why Russert asked Cheney if he sent Wilson, and Cheney denied.

This prompted Novak to inquire about Cheney and Wilson, and was told that Cheney asked the CIA, and the CIA must have sent Wilson because his wife works there and she must have recommended him.

Do I remember this correctly?

And if so, how is this retaliation, payback, ect, what would saying his wife sent him constitute retaliation?

This is just another conspirazoid talking point, of which all throughout these last years have never made sense as far as motive goes.