If this report via Bloomberg via CNN is true, then it shows that Hillary's hard rhetoric of late about staying in the race and pushing for FL and MI delegates must be the public aspect of a private effort to leverage herself into the VP slot:

The two Democratic campaigns are talking about ways for Clinton, from New York, to drop her bid for president that may include joining the Illinois senator's ticket, CNN reported. Talks are in a ``very preliminary'' stage and are described as ``difficult,'' the network said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=apUvejwrj_bw&refer=us

Following Jim Webb's recent insightful and highly relevant comments about Appalachia and racial sentiments he really should be considered the top-tier VP candidate, as long as he passes a vetting process for skeletons.

Webb argues very well that

1. There is bias against black and brown minorities in Appalachia, creating a wall for Obama.

However, 2. It is not merely racism, but a feeling that the affirmative action programs of the 60s went beyond historical justice for African Americans to aiding other minorities and in effect at the expense of the socio-economically poor in general (e.g. whites also in poverty).

Therefore, 3. If Obama were to speak to this cultural group with this understanding in mind he would be able to reach them.

I have heard this idea floating around before (on Slate?) that perhaps one of the most dramatic, powerful things Obama could do to win the 'hearts and minds' of the vast mainstream of America would be to propose transforming affirmative action programs from being race-based to being purely poverty-based.

Of course this is a pivot that could meet resistance from the base, but who can disagree that it is a policy change whose time must come at some point anyhow?

OBAMA / WEBB '08