Once a fire gets going, it's hard to put out. Since Clinton's candidacy has ended, the millions who put all their hopes into Clinton understandably feel their hopes dashed. Some are quickly able to adjust and be inspired by Obama, if perhaps a little less than they were inspired by Clinton. But others feel that something was stolen from them, which unavoidably leads to labeling someone "thief". The potential to trust Obama is undermined. But what other options? Is McCain better for women? It would be easy to understand why some might be disheartened enough to think they won't vote at all.
There is a void waiting to be filled. So much passion aroused but now no where positive for it to go.
This can't be lost on Obama, the candidate of hope, the person who tapped into latent but powerful emotions in a way that took many by surprise. While Hillary Clinton's endorsement helps transfer a little bit of that passion for her to him, it will only be partial. But if Obama chooses a female running mate, whether it is Clinton or another strong woman such as governors Janet Napolitano or Kathleen Sebelius, it might truly unite the two great hopes into a single "unstoppable force", as Bill Clinton put it.
If Obama doesn't choose a woman, it leaves an opening for McCain to try and fill that void himself with his own female pick. For those progressive women who claim they will vote for McCain today out of frustration but are more likely to switch back before November or simply not vote, such an action might be enough to solidly tip the balance. And it certainly would work for many independent moderate women who voted Democratic because of Clinton, but would easily vote Republican if a woman inspired them on that side.
There is a possibility that there will be a woman VP candidate on both sides, though I doubt McCain would pick a woman if Obama choose one first. The strategic benefit would have been lost.
Perhaps we are about to enter a new period where North-South balanced presidential tickets will be replaced by a preference for both a woman and a man in the White House.
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