Considering the importance of Richardson's endorsement is beside the point. Here is the bottom line. Barack Obama cannot win if nominated, because he cannot win the "battleground states". He cannot win those states because of his association with the Reverend Wright. He should have realized that he couldn't run for president while being associated with someone with such toxic views. Obama clearly doesn't share those views, but he did attend Wright's church for the past twenty years. This is not a smear. I am simply stating what I perceive the situation to be.

Obama showed incredibly poor judgment in thinking he could finesse his relationship with a "liberation theology" preacher, and an often angry one at that. It demonstrates to me that he cannot carry through on his promises if elected. Nevertheless, he remains my choice, in theory anyway. I have supported his campaign, as in sending money and writing campaign songs that I posted on You Tube.

However, I am a retired math professor, not a blue-collar worker in Ohio or Pennsylvania. As far as I am concerned, we are back to 1972, with Obama playing the role of George McGovern. Except that in 1972, no one could have defeated Nixon, whereas Hillary can defeat McCain, and as I have stated before, better a two-headed president than a wrong-headed one.

So, if we don't want to have McCain as the next president, we have to try to get Hillary Clinton nominated; Bill, warts and all. In my view, that is the reality we have to face.

Greg Bachelis

www.mathpol.com