Despite several public appearances and speeches, Hillary Clinton has failed to convince many of her staunchest supporters that the race is over, that Barack Obama is (and deserves to be) the nominee, and that we need to get behind him in order to prevent four more years of McBush.

How did it happen?

As long ago as April 1, it was obvious to anyone who crunched the numbers that Obama was going to be the nominee. If Clinton had ended her campaign then, or shortly afterward (perhaps after the Pennsylvania primary on April 22), we wouldn't be having this problem. Instead, she ratcheted up the divisive rhetoric, pushed for every vote, and insisted for two and a half months that she, and not Obama, deserved the nomination. It was, to say the least, incredibly selfish, and we may pay the price come November. The result was a cadre of near-fanatical delegates and voters (a sizable percentage of the electorate, according to the polls) who would have given Obama a double-digit lead, but instead may stay home on election day.  read more »