WWHD?

It is probably a no brainer to predict Hillary’s decision should she lose the Pennsylvania primary in late April.  My guess is that she would withdraw her candidacy in favor of Barack Obama and wish him all the best.  Under these circumstances, Hillary would return to the Senate and wait to see what happens in 2012.  McCain would be 76 assuming he won, and Barack would be one time loser and not necessarily a good pick for a second run.  On the other hand, if Barack won this time, McCain would be too old to run and it would all depend upon how Barack’s first term was going whether Hillary would even think of contesting.

The more interesting question is what happens if Hillary wins.  Should she keep fighting (and spending money she would need later against McCain) or should she throw in the towel and give the nomination to Barack?  WWHD? 

1. If you have paid any attention to the Hillary campaign staff, you would bet your mortgage that there is no way she will withdraw before (1) the convention deadlocks and she sees there is no chance for her, or (2) there is a sweet, face saving deal made for the Hillary side to retire.

2. The super delegates could meet and decide to throw their support to Barack in total.  This would make it impossible for Hillary to maintain a position that there was hope.  She would then withdraw.

3. It is also possible that Hillary might meet privately with Barack and broker a deal.  Given Barack’s lead and Hillary’s faulty memory, the deal would be Barack for President and Hillary for VP.  I think there is a good chance she might do this just before the super delegates met.

An Obama-Clinton ticket would have a number of virtues

• It would be the first black President and the first female Vice President.
• Hillary would be only a heart beat away from the Presidency.
• Bill Clinton could still have access to inside the beltway deals.
• Hillary would get a small, but meaningful portfollio, like healthcare leadership.
• Hillary might also get to pick (Obama would say there were his picks) 3-4 cabinet positions and maybe 10-20 Ambassadorships.
• Together, they could combine their current supporters and easily beat McCain

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