Looks like Obama has won the nomination

[MarsLady]

My NY-based brother is also of the belief that Obama would never beat McCain. But might an Obama/Hilary joint ticket do it? DB is also of the belief that McCain will run with Condoleeza Rice as VP, which will certainly strengthen his chances - anyone having pangs over voting for another white Republican man will have their PC consciences eased that way.

is it official?

i thought Condi was off to run the NFL.

Not official, no - just my DB's theory. He's some media-type in NY, but don't know what he's actually based that on.

i'm sure there are betting pools going on about it.

I think it's downright insulting to assume Obama won't win because he is black, and it's also bullshit.

FWIW, I can't stand Hilary.

I never liked her.

She's slick and there's something sheisty about her.

I'm not a Republican, either.

Take a guess whom I'm voting for.

Kerry, apply for your absentee ballot NOW if you haven't done so.

Mine's being sent automatically, but I double-checked to be sure.

he's actually bi-racial, his mother being white and his late father Kenyan.

I think it's underestimating the American public and assuming they are racist, KM. And simplifying the reasons for their vote down to skin colour.

That is simply not true at all.

There are MILLIONS of people who don't live in the Bible-thumping areas. Hundreds of millions of them.

It's also not a matter of black and white, regardless of what the BBC wants people to believe.

Some of the biggest racial tensions there now are between Hispanics and African-Americans.

Going after the Hispanic vote is crucial because they comprise a huge percentage of the population in three of the states with a lot of votes in the Electoral College: Texas, California and Florida.

Hispanics also tend to have higher voter turnout than some other ethnic groups AND on the whole tend to vote Republican because of issues like abortion and other moral concerns - many of them being Roman Catholic.

I can't imagine that either of them would beat McCain, old as he is.

And I can't imagine that a Tory is well ahead of the PM in polls here.

so will they team up?

His speech was so amazing

I'm wondering whether Clinton might stand as an independent though.

She's not that stupid. She doesn't have the money, she would destroy her credibility and she would never win.

I'm with KerryMum, i think we are just about to have a joyous worrisome Republican win

Now, where's that sand to bury my head in.......

I'd be thrilled about Obama winning if i actually thought he'd beat McCain.

i have a horrible JFK feeling about all this

but then i'm a superstitious old thing.

I don't know Rosa - its been clear for a reasonable while that she wouldn't win the democratic nomination - shes trying to claim she has the popular vote. Money is difficult I'll admit - I heard they put a lot of their own personal money into it. Interesting to see what her next moves are.

totalmisfit - that thought niggles at me too about jfk.

The problem is the more people say they won't vote for Obama because he can't win, the more of a self fullfilling prophecy it becomes.

feeling a little bitter dittany?

KM - Hilary is not from Arkansas - she grew up in Illinois. Attended Wellesley and Yale - so nothing Southern about her.

Bill is from Arkansas, and obviously she lived there with him.

I agree with KM - I don't think Obama can win against McCain. McCain is too moderate and Obama is too inexperienced. Personally I am gutted - she should have run in 2004...