The issue was never the vote on Iraq. Even if you argue that the resolution was a vote to go to war, it was never a vote to occupy Iraq. Nonetheless, Hillary was clear on the speech she gave in voting yes that the resolution was an authorization to go to war as a last resort. She was specific that the inspectors be allowed to complete its work. That clearly implies that her vote was to give Bush the tool to threaten and move Saddam to let the inspectors complete their job. Otherwise without the tool, Bush becomes an emperor without clothes in the eyes of Saddam.

One can Monday QB the hype from the Bush before the invasion as a sure sign of his intent to invade, but that tool has been used by the US and others in the past to give teeth to its threat. At the least, Congress owes it to public who voted Bush into office to accord him some respect and trust that he'll use the tool like the others did before him.

The last time I check, Bush was the Commander-in-Chief. Hillary didn’t take this nation to war. Hillary isn’t a warmonger anymore than Barrack is. Barrack is barking at the wrong tree. To even imply that Hillary or any of the legislators who voted with her would have invaded Iraq before completion of inspection and solid proof of wmd is preposterous. It's political opportunism by Barack.

And from what we now know of Bush, it’s most probable that he would have gone ahead with the invasion even without the vote. Cheney and Rove knew all too well they own the patriotism card.

The issue is not the vote. The issue is Bush misuse and abuse of the tool given to him and his power grab. It's easy to lose sight of the ball simply because you're grasping for something that may bring Hillary down. Barrack's claim is not straight talk and is political opportunism. He can't be trusted.