HILLARY CLINTON -- THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE

Now that pundits and leading Dems have decided that the primary race is over, many of them are speculating on an Obama/Hillary ticket. Most conclude that the hostility in the Obama camp is too great to allow Hillary the second slot on the ticket. Again, that's simply more fodder for the "it's all about them" charge against the Obamas. Many other hotly fought races found nominees reconciling with their former opponents to create a formidable ticket for the good of the nation (think JFK and LBJ, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush), but that's not where the Obamas are at. Barack and Michelle have always been reluctant to openly promise to support Hillary were she the nominee, and are ungracious in their presumed victory.

But the blindness of others, who suggest that there's a Hillary surrogate such as governors Ted Strickland (OH) or Ed Rendell (PA) that, if selected as BO's running mate, would assuage the concerns of Clinton voters, is preposterous.

In the first place, I don't want her running with Obama as VP. His and Michelle's attitudes towards her would almost surely prevent them from giving her any substantive place in their administration. If Hillary's not going to be president, I want her in the Senate where she can at least continue to fight the good fight for the issues that matter.

In the second place, there is no substitute for Hillary. Her experience, her passion, her resilience, her leadership, her courage, her dedication, her compassion, and her mastery of policy nuance are unparalleled and cannot be transferred by osmosis to another. She is far and away the best choice for president and our best chance to beat John McCain.

We will not be placated by a gesture.

OBAMA FOR VICE PRESIDENT?

Is it time to seriously promote the idea of Obama as Clinton's vice presidential running mate? NYCWeboy thinks so and makes a good (IMO) argument in favor. (H/t Donna Darko.

UPDATE: I just ran into the #3 man in my company in the hallway. He's a Massachusetts Democrat now living in Dallas who likes to talk Dem politics with me. He's been out of town for a couple of weeks, so we kind of caught up a bit on what's been happening. He leans Obama, so when I suggested that I'm ready to talk unity (as long as Hillary heads the ticket), he expressed some skepticism that BO would be willing to run as #2. But here's the thing, I told him. If Barack wins the nomination and loses to McCain, he's John Kerry -- his career is toast as far as going anywhere beyond the Senate. As Hillary's Veep he can enjoy doing what he does best -- giving speeches and addressing process -- while Hillary attacks the very real problems that Bush 43 leaves behind. He can build his resume. He can prepare for 2016. And while Hillary will no doubt be heavily criticized for whatever she has to do to turn this country around, he can dodge some of that; and clearly, fending off attacks from the media and the opposition takes a toll on Obama -- he's simply not used to anything less than success and adulation. The next eight years will toughen his hide, improve his skills as a candidate, and pad his portfolio. It's a win-win for him AND his supporters, although I must add that delayed gratification is not their strong suit.