Democratic Endgame?

For now Hillary is still actively campaigning against long odds.  But if current trends hold Obama will effectively wrap this race up by June and could get to the point where enough superdelegates pledge support to him he sort of has the nomination clinched (keeping in mind superdelegates are not pledged and can change their mind).  At that point Hillary could press on to the convention and hope for a miracle, but I assume she will sue for peace.  I think she will suspend her campaign and endorse Obama in June on the following conditions:

1. Its not until after all voting contests have been held, thus preserving her mantra of “let all the voters be heard”

2. The Florida and Michigan delegations will be seated in some form.  This would be advantageous for Obama as well.  If she’s not contesting the nomination it does him no harm, and not pissing off Democrats in two key battlegrounds (Florida would be a big win for Democrats, Michigan near essential) is good strategy.

3. Obama’s running mate will be someone from the Clinton orbit, preferably someone that does not automatically become the frontrunner in 2012 or 2016.  I am thinking Governor Strickland of Ohio, or perhaps former NATO commander General Wesley Clark.  The former helps alleviate to whatever extent Obama has a “white person” problem, and the latter helps alleviate to whatever extent (against McCain perhaps sizeable) “military/foreign policy problem” Obama has.

4. And finally, Hillary gets to be the next Senate Majority (or Minority) Leader after Harry Reid leaves the post.

We shall see if something like this plays out, but its my best hunch.  Look for this to play out in the early and mid part of June.