Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama?

For the first time Hillary Clinton hinted at a "dream ticket":

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton hinted at the possibility of a democratic "dream ticket" with Sen. Barack Obama.

Speaking on the Early Show on CBS, Clinton said "that may be where this is headed, but we have to decide who is on the top of the ticket."

Clinton said the race between her and Obama remains "incredibly close," with just "smidgens of difference" between them.

Clinton's remarks after her campaign won two big states yesterday: Ohio and Texas. She also won Rhode Island. The wins enabled her campaign to break Obama's 12-state winning streak and pick up some momentum of its own.

At one point Newt Gingrich was convinced the two would eventually be on the same ticket, but I still have my doubts. Obama is almost sure to enter the convention with a lead in delegates, races won and popular vote - why would he give up the nomination to accept the second spot? And how would all those excited Obamites react to that turn of events?

And for Hillary, what's the benefit of being Vice President? If she thinks McCain will beat Obama a VP nomination might set her up for 2012, but if Obama wins she risks waiting 8 years for another chance, and at that point she'll be 68 years old and yesterday's news. That's not likely to be a path to the White House for her.

After all the things she's said about Obama during the campaign, she would end up being McCain's best witness against Obama in the general election. I'm not sure Obama is going to want that.

I still think Hillary's best bet would be a graceful departure and return to the Senate where she could kick Harry Reid out of his job and find herself in a position of power where she could promote her lefty agenda.

UPDATE: Obama's not on board the "dream ticket" yet:

"We are just focused on winning the nomination. That is my focus. I respect Sen. Clinton. She has been a tenacious opponent. It is premature to talk about a joint ticket."