Finally, it’s over.

Finally, it’s over. The 16 month long, long campaign for the democratic nominee for the next President of the USA is finally over. With Barack Obama winning the majority of delegates (and super delegates), and Hillary Clinton’s argument for winning the popular vote weakened by the DNC’s decision to not count Florida and Michigan votes, this has been an exciting, historical election process. Thank God it’s over. Or is it?

Hillary has not yet conceded, saying she “will not make any decisions tonight”, even though Obama has declared himself the nominee after pushing over the delegate count threshold. Since Hillary has no chance of winning the nomination, what is she waiting for? She also mentioned that she wouldn’t mind being the V.P. on the ticket — something her supporters would love, but is that what the Obama campaign has in mind? Certainly after spending over a year touting chanting voters with change, change, change, it would not be advantageous to put the very person he has described as “the status quo” in his #2 spot.

One thing is certain, the party will need to be unified to beat John McCain come November. Some pundits are saying Clinton is holding her 18 million voters over Obama’s head as a negotiating tactic. You know, the same old divisive tricks that have always disabled politicians from accomplishing anything: “Give me what I want, or you won’t get what I have, what you need”. And the trick is for Clinton to make Obama think he won’t get the support of her voters unless she “allows” them to vote for him.

Well, November is a long way off, and I have my suspicions that the name Hillary Clinton will take a backseat to what is going to be one heck of a showdown between McCain and Obama. We won’t know until mid- to late summer who Obama will choose as his V.P. My bets are on Obama calling her bluff and taking his chances on finding a V.P. that will both unite the democrats (a female, a Hispanic?) or someone who will bring in the Republican, independent voters (an former Governor from Virginia?). Does she really think that the democratic, anti-war, pro-choice, healthcare-for-all voters that pulled for her will turn around and vote for McCain? No. Ain’t happening. Obama will get their votes, with or without her help.