"I have only one firm belief about the American political system, and that is this: God is a Republican and Santa Claus is a Democrat," said P. J. O’Rourke.

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What has happened on the pre-convention scene since last Wednesday has set political junkies on their ear! After he won the primary, Barack Obama looked like an unbeatable Democratic candidate. But, Sen. Hillary Clinton, who fought the good fight and emerged as an ever-more important and dynamic persona, would still not be his choice for vice president. Those of us Democrats who were for her — that is, the rational ones among us — accepted this fact and turned our support to Obama. He has many appealing qualities and his election is important to anyone who has their mind on the far right drift of the Supreme Court.

But then matters began to slide and this columnist has said on a number of recent occasions that if Obama wants to ensure his election, he needs to look again at Hillary. (I said this last Tuesday on CNN’s "American Morning" with John Roberts. Click here to watch the clip.) I also remarked on the unpleasant reality — to many — of Sen. Clinton’s famous husband’s omnipresence. But I believe it won’t be a factor. I think she would force him to butt out! Her loss in the primary taught her a great lesson and I know this for a fact.

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Nobody paid a bit of attention to my chiding Obama to take Hillary as a precaution, if not as the best of a lot of dreary choices. Then Wednesday night, following Ralph Nader’s astonishing prediction that just what we’ve said here should happen, would  happen —  all the talking heads on TV began a drumbeat — it should be, it will be Hillary, Hillary, Hillary!  And as Obama’s polls shortened the distance between him and John McCain, people said this more and more.

So you won’t be surprised to learn that one of the most famous superstars the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s — now on her eternal comeback career — telephoned us entirely on her own initiative to have her say.

If you don’t care about celebs endorsing politicians, then so be it. If you are curious — read on.

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My phone rings midday Wednesday. A slightly hoarse, husky woman’s voice says, "Liz? Do you know who this is?" The voice is familiar, but I can’t be sure. Am I in an old American Express commercial? I hate guessing games. "No, who is this?" I reply with more acerbity than intended. "Oh, I love when people don’t know. Liz, it’s Cher!" Indeed it is Cher, fighting a strained throat, courtesy of her ongoing Las Vegas gig.

Cher says, "I have something I want to tell you." Visions of wedding invitations or a Korean baby adoption dance through my head. "Yes?" Cher gives with the big reveal, with no preamble: "If Barack Obama does not pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate, he is going to lose this election." I start to respond, but Cher is on a roll "I think millions won’t vote. And not just the ‘uneducated, blue-collar women,’ as the media condescendingly refers to Hillary supporters."

Cher, it seems, has decided to take no prisoners on this one. She is certainty itself. "He can’t win without her. No other running mate can help him. He needs her. She is formidable in ways he is not — at least not yet." I venture then the caution that Republicans have a standing "Get Hillary" campaign ready to go. Cher snorts: "There is nothing more to be said about her. She and Bill Clinton have been the victim of every ghastly accusation. They have
survived."

Of Obama, Cher says: "I like him. He is a good person. Intelligent and thoughtful. But he comes off as too thoughtful. We don’t need a verbose and contemplative president. We need  a roll-up-your-sleeves-get-down-there kind of person. Hillary was and is that kind of person. She was the best choice to be president. But that’s not gonna’ happen right now. So the next best thing is she’s gotta’ be there to help him. You can’t win an election on a bumper sticker about ‘change.’ Every politician
promises change! What’s new?"