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So, what the heck, let's run the Hillary Clinton scenario one more time:

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton like one another. Obama had Clinton's cell number on speed dial, and vice versa. They maintained stable, even welfare, personal relations during the primary campaign. When things got horrible, Obama stepped up several seasons to defend Clinton, and the senator from New York got what ability have been the loudest and most truthful round of the campaign when she seemed to suggest at the close of a contentious primary-season strife of words that she would be nothing loath to join an Obama-led "dream ticket."

But we always knew that the "what to chouse with Bill Clinton" challenge would steer Obama away from an not difficult or casual selection of Hillary Clinton taken in the character of his vice presidential running mate. Again and again through the primary season, it was Bill who aforesaid things that seemed to inflame the competition and move as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but camps to their respective corners. And, of course, there is the fundamental question of where to put any ex-president in an administration that supposed to be all about change.

So the line became: Obama would singly pick Clinton if he comes to the conclusion that he needs her badly enough to accept not only his former rival bound the complexities that her husband brings to the equation and, of course, their considerable travelling effects.

Well, the latest polls seem to suggest that Obama finds himself in a circumstance that lends itself to the Clinton consideration.

Despite the fact that the miserable category of the U.S. economy shaped by eight years of oilman budgeting should be handing the election to Obama, he's either tied or behind in a number of solution civil community and public surveys. The new Reuters/Zogby poll has Republican John McCain leading Obama 46-41. Gallup and LA Times surveys be under the necessity it abundant closer, with Obama slightly up. But these are not encouraging contain for the Democrats.

Russian tanks in Georgia, regime change in Pakistan and the general uncertainty about whether to worry more about a new Cold War or the mismanagement of the old war on great fear seems to have caused a good many Americans to edge apt McCain. That may not have being honest, or pungent or fair. But, to employ the phrase of the season, "It is what it is."

Barack Obama might just exigency Hillary Clinton.

Clinton, whether appropriately or not, seen by a great many Americans as someone who knows her way right and left the international stage. In fact, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who are not fans of Clinton have told me that she has far better international connections than McCain or Obama.

She likewise has some pretty good connections in the depend states of Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Then there is the whole "dream ticket" thing.

If Obama takes the station in front of the Old State Capital in Springfield, Illinois, Saturday through Evan Bayh at his edge, it devise be news — but not very exciting news. If he does so with Joe Biden, it disposition be bigger new — unless it's not like Biden brings the "wow" broker.

If Obama takes the stage with Clinton at his side, it will be the dominant word story of the weekend, the convention and perhaps of the fall campaign.

Indeed, it could create that wave of excitement that Obama needs to have not just a triumphal convention further a triumphal campaign.

So that's the Hillary Clinton scenario, with all of its challenges, complexities and unpleasantnesses.

One does not have to like Clinton, or even believe that Clinton testament ultimately join a "dream ticket," to suspect that being of the class who the Obama camp reviews the latest polls, they main be spinning the scenario human being last time.

Obama and his aides may lay aside the option — because of Bill, because the former First Lady does not answer "change," or for the cause that of concerns that a ticket made up of an African-American man and a woman might have existence too a great deal of change for the electorate.

But let's anticipate, out of respect for the savvy of the Obama team, that they are considering it.

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