The votes are still being counted, but that doesn't speculations are on hold also. North Carolina is in the bag, with a wider than expected margin. Obama obtained a new personal record, 92%, of African-American votes, and an improving working-class image.
What about Indiana? Good question. At the moment, the Clinton camp is counting on winning it, but by a rapidly dwindling margin. At the moment, Hillary is winning 51 to 49%--an hour ago, she was winning 52 to 48%. An Indiana win for Obama would be devastating to Clinton. A sweep is still a possibility, and Lake County, bordering Illinois, in Indiana is what will decide if it happens or not.
If it does, that would be the death of the Clinton campaign. Believe that it will not be because she will voluntarily drop out. She will continue to stay in the race, assure her supporters she is in it to win it, and will not hear any of the media pundits calling her campaign a sinking ship. But she will drop out. Democratic leaders will finally pressure her to drop out, if only tacitly. Al Gore might finally speak, Dean will pressure superdelegates to decide, and Pelosi will ask them to follow the will of the people (i.e. who has the most pledged delegates...Obama). If the pressure does not drop her out semi-graciously, the exodus of superdelegates from her camp to Obama's will do it. Superdelegates do not want to be the first to make a decision, but they hate to be the last to abandon a bad decision. They will flock to Obama and Obama's momentum will snowball as it did at the beginning of this primary season.
What about Hillary? I honestly believe she has crossed the point of no return. She has burned bridges, offended party faithful, and angered Obama supporters enough to make her an island within the Democratic party. She will not get a VP spot, as Obama knows he would share the light with the ClintonS. Bill's image is in probably worse shape than Hillary's, and Obama would be hurting his own chances bringing on both's bad PR. Plus, no one wants TWO bossy Clintons to deal with.
A cabinet position? Possibly. She is still respected in the party, but has essentially ruined years of friendships and connections in a few months, so she will have to work her way back up. Secretary of State, possibly?
Whatever happens, Hillary will not be present during the Inauguration Ceremony. An Indiana win for Obama will squelch any doubts about his working-class appeal, having weathered the worst set of storms in his campaign, on top of campaigning in a state similar to the ones he lost by wide margins to Hillary. He would have proven his mettle. He will look more presidential than ever before.
That ship sailed a couple of months ago for the Clintons.
lhp
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