It's All Over But the Crying

Obama declares victory, but Clinton won't concede

As of today, the Democratic party seems to finally have its Presidential nominee, as Barack Obama claimed the majority of delegates necessary to claim the nomination.

"Our primary season has finally come to an end," he announced. "I will be the Democratic nominee for the presidency of the United States of America."

In Obama, the Democrats have made a very worthy choice in nominees. If anyone can give John McCain a run for his money, it will be Barack Obama.

But he'll have an uphill battle to fight. While the Democrats have been slugging it out with one another, McCain and the Republicans have been raising funds and putting their larger campaign strategy in place. And while Obama is considered by many to have the advantages of youth and charisma, one also remembers that it's McCain who's being seen in all the right places.

While the Demorats had a monopoly on earned media, they had an opportunity to diffuse McCain by ignoring him, and portraying the race for the Presidency as between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton as much as possible.

They blew that opportunity by taking turns trying to play the tough guy with John McCain.

When addressing McCain this evening, Obama struck all the right chords, equating McCain as closely with Bush as possible. Which is easy to do so long as McCain insists on giving the man hugs.

There's no question that, from this point up until November, the campaign for the Presidency of the United States of America will be a dog fight. Obama has yet to ever be in a feirce one. McCain has before, and may hold an edge in this department.

Certainly, Hillary Clinton has yet to concede. But that's largely immaterial. Just as Mike Huckabee refused to drop out after McCain claimed his majority, it will be less than shocking if Clinton does likewise.

One thing, however, is certain: the real contest begins now. It's all over but the crying.