What's happens now?

- Editor's note: Tanya Amador-Daigle is reporting for Florida Weekly on the national primaries until the presidential candidates are chosen this summer. She has a unique perspective on the primaries and the process for choosing a candidate, having traveled the country reporting on primaries and caucuses for the Purple States project. To learn more about Purple States go to www.purplestates.tv.

In what must have been a difficult withdrawal speech on Saturday, Hillary Clinton said, "Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest ceiling this time, thanks to you (her supporters), it's got about 18 million cracks in it." In front of an impassioned and emotional crowd, Clinton finally endorsed Barack Obama. Watching her demeanor during her speech I couldn't help but think that she was still trying to convince herself that she had found herself here. After all, in the early days of her campaign, she, along with everyone else, thought she had the nomination wrapped up. This was a sad day for her indeed.

Clinton has vowed to work hard for Obama and support him however he needs. Obviously she is after something, perhaps several things. If she doesn't get the Veep slot then maybe a place as a senior member on his staff or some help with her $30 million campaign debt. Clearly Hil will have to be pacified. It is obvious that the reason she held out for so long was so that she won't go away completely empty-handed.

With the last Democratic opponent out of his way, can Barack Obama win over the 18 million voters who voted for Hillary Clinton? As the dust begins to settle from Clinton's long anticipated withdrawal, this is the question on the minds of many. If Obama names Clinton as his running mate, I'm pretty sure the answer would be yes, in which case John McCain will have an even more difficult challenge on his hands.

Thus far Obama has remained secretive about whom he is considering for the VP position. It looks to me like he's is in a pickle. How can he choose the old horse as his running mate and still run on a platform of "change"? An Obama-Clinton ticket wouldn't exactly show that he is intent on breaking from the past. Maybe he could modify his slogan to "Some Change", or, "Change We Can Somewhat Believe In." There, problem solved.

On the other hand, if Clinton were chosen as his partner in crime, it seems more than likely that she would be bringing him most of those 18 million who voted for her. In other words, she may publicly claim that the decision is up to him, but the bottom line is, Hillary's got something Obama wants and it isn't her pantsuit collection.

The biggest debate is how many disappointed Clinton supporters are going to jump ship. The media has been telling us that many of them have sworn to vote for McCain. I've yet to see any polls that support this and it is probably too early to tell, as the wounds are still raw. Most of those interviewed that have said they will switch their allegiance are women. These women feel that sexism has triumphed. I'm not sure I agree with them.

I think Hillary Clinton's experience both worked for her and against her at the same time. Although there are many who would like to see a return to the Clinton days, in the current political climate many Americans are desperate for a revolution in government. More Clintonism is the opposite of that. Even if we're not sure what type of "change" Obama will bring, he represents that word I'm getting tired of repeating, "change".

One thing is clear: Hillary Clinton has made history. As her new best friend, Barack put it, "She shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams." I think her feminist supporters should be proud.