Follow the Money

Dick Cheney on Meet the Press September, 2003:

Russert asked, “Were you involved in any way in the awarding of those contracts?” Cheney’s reply: “Of course not, Tim … And as Vice President, I have absolutely no influence of, involvement of, knowledge of in any way, shape or form of contracts led by the [Army] Corps of Engineers or anybody else in the Federal Government.”

Internal Pentagon email dataed March 5th, 2003, sent by an Army Corps of Engineers official:

“Action” on a multibillion-dollar Halliburton contract was “coordinated” with Cheney’s office. The e-mail says Douglas Feith, a high-ranking Pentagon hawk, got the “authority to execute RIO,” or Restore Iraqi Oil, from his boss, who is Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz … The e-mail says Feith approved arrangements for the contract “contingent on informing WH [White House] tomorrow. We anticipate no issues since action has been coordinated w VP’s [Vice President’s] office.” Three days later, the Army Corps of Engineers gave Halliburton the contract, without seeking other bids.

Earlier here.