Wilson's Veracity

One thing that is beginning to bother me regarding the entire Joseph Wilson truth-telling brouhaha is whether or not the combatants are talking about different periods of time.  Most of the supposed contacts between Iraq and Niger were said to have taken place in 1999 or earlier.  In 2002, Wilson was dispatched to evaluate whether anything recent had happened in Niger.  So - what period of time are we discussing here - old news (1999 or earlier) or new news (2000 and later)?

In any event, to me, the damage done to Wilson so far appears slight.  The Republicans don't have a lot going for them, and the continued sniping just brings unwanted attention again and again and again to those precious 16 words.