Recent hints and lately, outright suggestions, by Hillary Clinton have made Democrats swoon – a joint ticket – labeled “unstoppable” by Bill – of Clinton and Obama.

Oh what a joy! cry Democrats collectively.  Hillary’s experience plus Barak’s passion!  The Clinton political mindset with the Obama grassroots energy!  A woman AND a black man on one ticket!

And for supporters of Hillary Clinton, this might be a feasible suggestion.  But can’t people see why Hillary is projecting this idea?  She clearly sees what has happened in Ohio and Texas recently – after a string of victories, Democrats started looking at Obama and said, “Do we REALLY want to elect this guy?”  Many probably still said yes, but they felt cautious and went with Hillary.  She would likely have won Ohio regardless, but without that last second questioning this blogger suggests that Obama would have taken the Texas primary along with the caucus.

So why the joint ticket suggestion?  Because it gives the more cautious Obama supporters a way out of their angst.  “Vote for me, because I’ll bring him along for the ride,” says Hillary, quite convincingly.   Sure, she leaves it open to a final determination, but anyone that believes she would be willing to take the VP spot is delusional.

So what should Barak do?  Well, he needs to fight back – and hard.  Any hint or tiny piece of evidence that he would take a VP spot (even if that is true) will only push more people into Hillary’s camp.  The same suggestion when he was the candidate with momentum did not have the same effect.

Stepping back and saying for a second that Hillary does win Pennsylvania and the superdelegates turn the election for her — should Obama take the proffered role?  That is a difficult question.  It could set him up for a run in 2016, but that run would be as an experienced near-elder statesman, not as the youthful candidate of change he is now.  And let’s all be honest – Hillary already has her Veep in Bill.  When so many VPs in history have noted the powerlessness of the position (Mr. Cheney being a notable exception), who would really want to place themselves even further down the advisory totem pole?