Wow...

Like him or not, you have to say that Barack Obama himself has conducted himself with quite a bit of class during what was a very dirty fight. And I think tonight, as I watch him speak just after learning for sure that he has the delegates to clench the Democratic nomination, I am struck most by his praise for Hillary Clinton.

"Senator Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she's a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she's a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight." "And you can rest assured that when we finally win the battle for universal health care in this country, she will be central to that victory. When we transform our energy policy and lift our children out of poverty, it will be because she worked to help make it happen. Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton. "

Yes, part of it is likely an olive branch in case a deal is indeed struck for the so-called "dream ticket" of Obama and Clinton. It's also probably the beginning of the courtship of Clinton's voters, in case that ticket doesn't happen. But just, wow.