She wore fuchsia.

There -- that’s the extent of my political observations concerning perhaps the most talked about, analyzed, and equally reviled and celebrated woman in America (who isn’t Paris Hilton). I’m talking about Hillary Clinton, who has a fair shot at becoming the next president of the United States.

And, by wearing fuchsia to a Washington, D. C., press conference on quality preschool education, the New York senator was boldly displaying her femininity while being careful not to appear too … oh, you finish the sentence. Because, truth is, there was about zero political intrigue at the liberal Center for American Progress last month. (And no refreshments, either.) The woman everyone claims to know -- “Tell me if she’s all fluff,” a friend asked earlier as I dropped my 3-year-old daughter off at preschool -- was poised, gracious, well-prepared, and extremely articulate.

Perhaps, then, we should focus on what she had to say. And what Clinton said is that the country is finally coming round to the belief that all children need quality preschool. Her Ready to Learn Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Christopher (“Kit”) Bond, R-Mo., would provide federal money to build on what states are already doing. Three years ago, only three governors made universal preschool a priority; today the number is 29.

Clinton appeared with Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., whose Prepare All Kids Act also calls for more federal money for preschool. To learn more, see www.preknow.org. You’ll get lots of information -- minus the fashion commentary.

Lawrence Hardy, Senior Editor