Does Barack Need Hillary Clinton?

No.

And it's for the best he keep her far away from the ticket.

From the outset it was obvious the style, method, and form of these presidential competitors have been inherently at odds.

Though their voting record is nearly identical, it does little to demonstrate the divisions intrinsic in how Obama carries his campaign and how Hillary incites her message.

It's hard to believe it was just a few months ago Hillary shrugged off concerns of sexism and pridefully boasted her front runner status in democratic debates.

A concern she would all too willingly embrace when the campaign faced its darkest hour. But it is exactly in these dark hours that our greatest test awaits each one of us. A test that tries and wears on our experience, mettle, and judgment.

A test Hillary Clinton failed despite her very impressive national numbers.

Much has been made of Clinton's fighting spirit. During the campaign she has displayed her powerful emotions (and a tear or two), righteous indignation (As when she bellowed in loud protest over Obama's Nafta criticisms), and doled out a fierce opposition to Obama's experience and judgment.

But how did Obama's experience and judgment defeat Hillary on issues like a "Gas Tax" holiday, state campaign strategy, and foreign policy strategy where Obama and Clinton truly have significant differences?

And how did Obama fight his battles against Hillary and McCain on both fronts while dealing with accusations of being a racist, a secret muslim, and worse?

The answer to all these is...prodigiously.

It was much more than pretty speeches that gave Obama the forethoughtfulness, the prescience to run his campaign with a national long term agenda when Hillary bet the farm on Super Tuesday.

Obama avoided attacking Hillary when she lied about dodging sniper fire, or when she alluded to Kennedy getting shot in July. He never pounced on her verbal snafus unless it was in direct defense and it's this type of integrity that maintained a campaign on the issues, his record, and principles when the fires of Reverend Wright raged over his credibility.

Sure pundits will say this is the Obama theme, and for him to attack, maneuver, and contrive support would clash with his "style", but this marginalizes the main ingredient that carried Obama's campaign past an adversity that would have destroyed any other cadidate..

Obama's infectious constitution of commendable character.

Despite the vile of Trinity Church, the dubious connections, and the occasional verbal blunder it is nearly impossible to imagine Obama anything else than what he claims to be when he speaks to Americans. He exhorts us to examine his life and its chronicled history of insight, sensitivity, and rapport. -Not words I'd use to describe Reverend Wright.

And if anyone believes a campaign isn't a good barometer on how a politician deals with pressure, strategizes, and makes speedy and important decisions then we aren't watching the same campaign!

Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have run splendid, banner campaigns and deserve a lot of credit, it just further helps Barack's case that he doesn't need Hillary to win this election if he continues to demonstrate his ability to reach people, mend bridges, and speak honestly and powerfully to the people.

Even the disenfranchised ones.

The truth is Hillary Clinton (and Bill) bring a host of problems to the Obama ticket. And the only strength they offer is a democratic bracket of white woman and white rural voters. A bracket that will vote for Obama in 6 months. (Well 80% of them)

Make no mistake. Barack Hussein Obama will be the next President of the United States!

Hillary's drawn out attempt to float an enduringly sinking ship and then blame everyone and everything except an outmatched campaign -yes I know, if you take away Obama's caucus states, strip away Michigan and then count Florida, Hillary won the popular vote!- has left a negative blemish on the start of Barack's presidential bid.

A blemish that can not be erased by Hillary's bullying or manipulations. (I hope tonight wasn't her idea of a concession speech.)

It can only be erased by Obama doing what he does and by choosing the very best person to run with him. And that person is not a Clinton. (Maybe Chelsea)

Hillary supporters will heal. Voters will rally. And the election will move past these hard fought months of democratic battle.

In the end, the same attacks will continue. The same fears will sell, experience will be questioned, judgment challenged, suspicions will arise.

But every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he helps to dispell these panics of doubt. Every time he showcases his plans he makes more and more sense. And America will begin to believe that this unique man will be a capable and remarkable president.

The kind we get only far too seldom.

Now on to the summer debates!