Centerfield

Let us consider the track record of the Clinton campaign so far this year. They appear to have contrived to, if not in every case to shoot themselves in the foot, at least to scar their boots with the bullets on those occasions when they miss the foot. So, what would be the worst case for them at this point -- for that seems likely to be what they will end up accomplishing?

Expect, from that perspective, Senator Clinton to endorse her party's nominee, and give lip service to supporting him ... but no more. And then expect Obama to win anyway, and come away owing Senator Clinton absolutely nothing for the victory.

Not saying he will win, necessarily. Just that having it happen that way would, for Clinton, be of a piece with the year so far.

I guess that Hillary answered the question last night. I'm convinced that she wants to try to force Obama to offer the VP spot to her - which would make him look weak, I think - and then she will reject it - which would make him look even weaker. She reminds me of Sharpay in High School Musical. (My kids made me watch.)

Since I have copiously answered that question over the last several months in essay form, and am still batting something like a thousand in my predictions on it, I'm just gonna link to my latest which includes some back-linkage for anyone interested.

The short answer is that what the DNC and Obama get out of Clinton will depend on what Clinton gets out of Obama and the DNC. TANSTAAFL. The Cyberdyne Systems model HIL-2008 is not cheap.

I think Tully's right. To make it a little clearer, Hill is very rich in a specialized currency - convention delegates. She wants to make the best deal with those delegates she can. Which seems reasonable to me - she worked pretty hard for it, and it represents, as she says, tens of millions of votes.

Obama can redeem those chits now, probably, for veep, but that's the only way of getting her out of the game now. Since it's become clear Obama's mediocre at appealing to the ordinary Joes who make up the traditional part of the party, now it seems like a good idea to me.

Personally, what I'd like to see is for Clinton to try and cash in her chits to work for Senate Majority Leader, as Tully and Matt Yglesias have suggested. Harry Reid is IMHO corrupt and out of his league. But it''s not such an easy currency to turn into Senate leadership, and I've seen no sign from Clinton that it's something she wants to pursue.

Well, Clinton's corrupt too, but the position wouldn't be out of her league.

They've cut their deal, whatever it is, but it may be months before we know what the price was. It'll depend on Clinton delivering on whatever she promised, with the measure being observed effort, not success. And it'll be handed over with talk of it being a reward for her efforts.

That's on top of the campaign debt reimbursement, of course. That'll come first.