Behind this spadework lies a strategic choice.

这一堆基础工作的背后隐含着一个战略选择。

Despite some superb spadework by journalist Barton Gellman and others, we know very little about Cheney's true role.

尽管有些重要的基础性的工作已经由巴顿.杰尔曼及其他一些记者完成了，但我们对切尼真正所扮演的角色所知很少。

Despite some superb spadework by journalist Barton Gellman and others, we know very little about Cheney's true role. We have seen few of the pertinent documents and heard little relevant testimony.

尽管Barton Gellman和其他记者写过一些冠冕堂皇的基础报道，但因缺少眼见为实的文件和耳听为实的证词，我们对切尼的真正角色仍是知之甚少。