Elizabeth, I’ve looked all over all the major news sites, here and in the EU, all the major blogs, there may be primaries left but the numbers are not there and it seems the entire world knows its over but HRCs supporters…who naturally want the throughline. However, here’s a great piece on the ten reasons Obama won: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/top-10-reasons-obama-defe_b… Many sites are picking VPs. Except for a miracle, it’s over. And I agree with Maureen, the financial mess of her campaign is yet another reason to support Obama. He hasn’t done this before. This is a massive undertaking and he has pulled it off operationally with barely a hitch.

Renata—“Even this exit is a massive DRAMA and ACCOMODATION — funded by the Clintons and who knows???” Well, she did get cozy with the arch enemies Richard Mellon Scaife and Murdock, the dinosaurs of the old world, while Obama befriends the new way, the Mike Bloombergs, Steve Jobs, etc. It’s like my billionaires can beat up your billionaires.

Liz, I wouldn’t exactly use the word ‘ego.’ I do think that she honestly believes she is the best candidate, and a saviour, ie witness one conceptualization of the BC WH of peace and prosperity. It you don’t venture into the fallout of WTO, NAFTA, the death of the 1932 Glass Stegall Banking Act, etc. However the rest of your post is beautifully said and I think right on. I see this mindset here at WOW and out in public. There is a division that has created a whole new culture of Web 2.0 people who are united by change and energy. This is a Transitional Age and they are surfing it looking forward to nanotechnology tomorrows. Remember the tens of millions of world-wide marchers on Feb 15, 2003 who stood for hundreds of millions more. That was organized mainly by one group, United for Peace and Justice, that started with some phones and computers jumbled into an old office. With those tools they erected a global network. People “of it” know the shorthand, the password, the code. Others listening in who don’t won’t even recognize the fully loaded words—here and around the globe. We didn’t stop marching just because we were nearly totally ignored by the MSM. We saw how big it was on global Indy News that came live from every city and hamlet around the globe. It was powerful, exciting, unforgettable. We never stopped marching but kept the virtual march going on the Internet gathering speed and weight and momentum and spiritual force, seeking one unifying symbol, one voice, one word that could stand for our hope. We have it: Obama. Not just here but around the world he personifies the equal and opposite of Shock and Awe. That was the SHADOW SIDE of Obama and his constituency. He stepped in front of the parade that was seeking a leader. HRC will not overcome this force because she is the old thinking and Senator Obama has grabbed the gold ring. Ironically, HRC’s lost this race when she said about her Iraq war vote that she trusted the president. To millions of us that was saying she trusted satan. 1) She did it so not to anger the Israel lobby-big supporters. 2) She gave a one word sentence that has rung in the ears of liberals in the intervening time and has come to stand for all that is wrong with the Democratic party. 3) In dismissing, which she largely did until this race, the huge amount of anger that fueled an enormous Internet community—she blinded herself to the natural constituent base that Obama did see. In effect, he is Odysseus in the cave with the Cyclops (metaphorically folks). He used the tools she left on the ground against her. And that is brilliance. It is as if this entire thing has been Homer’s Odyssey. Like Tennyson said, [paraphrasing from memory here] “Come my friends, it is not to late to seek a newer world. For my purpose holds to sail beyond the baths of all the western stars until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down. It may be that we’ll meet the great Achilles whom we knew. And though we are not now what moved heaven and Earth…that which we are, we are. One equal temper of heroic hearts….To strive, to seek, to find…and not to yield.” This race is over.

I think few know the complex personal reasons that are hers alone. There are many pragmatic considerations. As far as not over; only an intervening miracle will change the outcome. That’s just a fact of adding up the numbers. So HRC has a delicate dance that includes debt, career positioning, leaving with as much grace as possible after a hard fought race, and the reality of owing her supporters a balm and continuing example of the courage and toughness that everyone sees and they admire.

People saying health, inherent humans rights made me realize how much I treasure those and my own sense of self possession. Jackie Kennedy said “Above all I am first a woman.” I love that and realize how fortunate it is to have an unshakeable sense of self.

Sugar B—What was Oprah like? Would love to hear the details…big fan here.

Doll Lady/8:10AM—You have magnificent instincts! And followed them up with action! That was so important for your daughter’s lasting sense of self. The picture was a victory for you and your daughter. A badge of pride for you both! My brother once said go after a child if your sport is poking a Tigress with a sharp stick!! Congrats to you!

Plain Jane—Years ago I lived a few doors down from Arianna Hufffington in Montecito—a small enclave of Santa Barbara nestled against the Santa Ynez mountains and near the sea. It is really a beautiful thing to see an outstanding woman truly come into her ‘own’ in every sense of the word. The beautiful Greek is an amazing example of this melting pot nation. [Dad is being moved from ICU hopefully today…thank you]

Renata—For me I’m tired of the enablers and the wishy-washy. The new Democrats need to reframe clearly, strongly and quit reacting to the lunatic right (ie not the moderates with brains like Hagel, or Jeffords, who re-registered Indy.) I’m VERY glad for Arianna Huffington’s new book. It will be an instant best-seller just from Huffingtonpost.com DailyKos.com alternet.org Truthout, talkingpointsmemo.com, Buzzflash, etc. It will be the manifesto for millions…talked about, adopted. The Back to the Stone-Ages Flat-Earthers need to be exposed for what they are.

Renata-It’s natural that HRC would be a consideration. I SINCERELY doubt it will happen. Michelle would divorce him. They can work together for the good of the country, but like a lot of people who entertained the possibility, intervening events have shown would be a lightening rod choice. While even the few others we’ve discussed would make a stronger ticket and bring on disaffected moderate Republicans.

Renata- I don’t think that’s completely fair. Many political couples seem like a lock-solid two-fer. The Obamas are too. They both had other careers besides this campaign, and so did Hillary before they came to WDC. BC has said he helps her now (and in the Senate race) because she put her career on hold for his and it was her time. John Kerry and his wife, McCain and his, there are many political couples that come to mind as a team. The Clintons more forcefully because that’s their style. Like them or not…anyone would like a mate that bolsters their career to the extent possible. That’s partnership. The whole BC/Monica payback by the Right was a response to HRC’s prosecution of Nixon.

Esther—As a longtime resident of San Francisco race/gender barely hits the radar, a lot of what people see/believe depends on locale/education/context all the variables. It’s sad to have this back-to-the-future regression by one of our leading senators. I don’t think she is racist. I think she is opportunist. The fact is that Senator Obama has incredible broad based support. Race-gender will always be a factor for people advancing themselves according to their own moral “flexibility” and often, not all the time, it comes back to hit them as it has HR—with the whallop she deserves.

Renata- Yes the arts. Look at my blog site—you’ll see Jackie etc and those reflections. I have tons of changes….much better…sitting on an unpublished page as have a few more to go…so be sure to check it in a couple days again for the updates….am sure you’ll like it. http://web.mac.com/myfrenchheart

Renata- Definitely Mayor Bloomberg….and I LOVE the Kennedys too. They have served this country. They aren’t perfect, no one is, as you say we’re not electing saints. JFK still has a 84% approval rating world wide.

Plain Jane/Renata- Agree with race and tired of discussing it. We’ll empower all people everywhere by ensuring that the administration reflects if….my guess is that Senator Obama’s choices are going to be based, like JFK’s on one quality: The best and the brightest. JFK wanted brains and ‘vigah!’ I’ve no doubt that’s what Mr. Obama will have too.