I continue to be utterly mystified.

[merrily]

143. Aided and abetted. Helped sell the war to Americans, much as did Colin Powell in his UN speech.

Her speech was not for her fellow Senators, any more than Powell's speech was for nation members of the UN.

Ambassadors to the UN do not come inwith an open mind about war until they hear what they think is the best speech and neither do Senators. Their decisions are made in other rooms, for reasons having nothing to do with televised speeches. Those speeches were for American viewing public many of whom are swayed by such things.

Colin Powell had just polled most trusted figure in the Bush Administration. Hillary was not just a Senator, but the First Lady of President that, bless his heart, always polled popular, even after impeachment. She was as close to the face of the Democratic Party as any individual member of Congress can possibly be.

First Lady and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech put the Democratic imprimatur on that vote and that war to help sell it to Americans.