And that, as they say, was that. All that's missing is the official kiss on both cheeks.
The Washington Post's understated headline this morning: "Clinton Aides Doubtful About Future." Well, they're the only ones.
Virtually everyone else hip to mathematics has been proceeding for some time now on the crushing assumption that Barack Obama is, has been, and shall remain the chosen one, since he has, has had, and shall retain the lead in every conceivable metric of victory but chutzpah.
He's been shadow boxing not so much an opposing campaign as a swaggering hope, and a ghostly -- as well as increasingly ghastly -- one at that.
Had it not been for the media egging this thing on from their ringside seats, it would have been unambiguously over long ago. For every minute of on-air reality and every line of in-print concession that, yes, the delegate count is what matters and boy it sure is hard to see a way around Obama's decisive lead there, we've been treated to hours and reams of extravagant media speculations on the slimmest alternatives.
She could somehow zoom ahead in the popular vote. She could strongarm the party with rules-violating respect to Florida and Michigan. She could build all this convincing momentum. Golly, folks, she could get together a band! and borrow dad's barn! and stage a rousing Broadway revue!
In Hollywood, maybe, with the dreamy assistance of Oliver Stone. But back on Earth, the nomination has been nailed down for weeks, months, eons.
I must admit, I'm going to miss the fading senator from New York. I'm already feeling as "wistful" as she has been described of late. No more misty-eyed moments, no more tall tales from southeast Europe, no more blistering doubts about her party's nominee as commander in chief, no more emetic pandering and carefree holidays from political, economic and fiscal reality. Until, of course, we all start covering John McCain, who is now the suddenly deprived commentariat's only hope for amusement.
Still -- what's this? -- the contemporary burlesque may not be over yet. There are indications of more zany, madcap hijinks to come.
However much the Washington Post wished to convey the doubtfulness of encore presentations, the New York Times -- probably in a moment of depressed stupor as to how it will otherwise fill all that empty space -- has chosen this more hopeful headline: "Clinton Vows to Continue Her Run." Oh boy.
Well, reading further, one finds she only sort of, kind of vowed to continue her run:
"Tonight we’ve come from behind -- we’ve broken the tie," the Times quoted Mrs. Clinton in her sort of Indiana victory speech, also noting in an especially touching passage that standing nearby was hubby Bill, "wip[ing] away a tear." His glandular moment came, I'm sure, from his wife's words that followed: "But I can assure you, as I’ve said on many occasions, no matter what happens I will work for the nominee of the Democratic Party."
Were I Mr. Obama I'd be thoughtfully tempted to decline her most generous offer. For I can hear her now, on the campaign stump or in some coast-to-coast network interview: "Sure, he'd make a terrific commander in chief, as far as I know."
Even more appalling than the thought of Hillary merely lending a hand on the stump is the thought of Hillary more fully lending herself as the vice-presidential candidate, an offer from Obama's side that almost certainly will have to be extended. Whether she would accept is the only and truly legitimate doubt left in this primary season. We know not the answer emerging from Hillary and Bill's huddling: "How can we do him more harm and better position ourselves for 2012 -- as a surrogate, or as his v.p. pick?"
But, that comedy we shall savor later. For now, according to the Post, "Clinton plans to continue to reach out to working-class voters with her plan for a gas tax 'holiday.'" (Why not go whole hog and demand that Warren Buffett foot this summer's Social Security payroll taxes?)
Or at least such endless reaching out is the campaign's official story. Money, however, or rather her lack of it, may present itself as a trifle bump in the road. The media now have a new story to plug -- Alert: Hillary is desperately behind! -- which won't exactly make those fundraising phones jingle.
So, who knows? Perhaps, out of necessity, if nothing else, she'll surprise us and do the decent thing: Go home.
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