The Answer: Because the economy sucks and is getting worse.

The Question: Why is it likely Hillary Clinton will win the nomination?

I'm a strong backer of Barack Obama, but I'm an even stronger advocate of looking at things realistically.

The economy is not going to improve in the next 2 months. In fact, it will be revealed how bad it really is over that time. And people associate the Clintons with a good economy. Clinton is focusing more and more on that issue, and that's just smart of her. She has more experience than Barack. I know Obama supporters are loath to admit that, but it's true. I've never been one to completely discount her years as first lady. She was involved, in particular with domestic issues. And more importantly, I don't think dem voters are going to discount her White House years.

That's why I see Clinton as having the best odds at getting the nomination.

When the economy tanks people run to safe pairs of hands they never break for the new kid, its just never done.

They do associate the name Clinton with good economic times. So you are right in what you say.

it isn't because the US has a hard time creating wealth. It's because of the allocation of wealth. The polarization of wealth is unbalancing society and putting so much strain on middle and working class -- who are the engine of growth -- that they're having a hard time pulling america along. Neither Obama or Clinton -- regardless of whether they want to shift power to the middle and working class -- are staking their campaigns on doing that, and Clinton even less so because she's from New York and, as a consequence, derives so much of her power from Wall Street.

And I love Bill Clinton, but he sure didn't use his 8 years as president creating a bulwark for the middle and working class that was difficult for the Republicans to surmount in their effort to undo every good thing FDR, JFK and LBJ did to reallocate power downward.

Oddly, there is one candidate in this primary who believes that the allocation of power is the key to a functioning democracy and a strong economy, and who is willing to stake his campaign on making the changes necessary to reallocate power, and I guess we just have to cross our fingers that he keeps rolling in the delegates.

Hillary ended her "emotional" remarks with a comment about the economy -a part that was often left out when replayed on TV. She said that we are facing an array of problems which just may spin out of control.

I was impressed because I think that is in fact a real danger and that it seems to be very much on her mind. Every campaign has to have hype, hope, and promises, but this one in particular needs to confront the current realities - an economy which may already be in recession and headed for depression.

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I think that's part of it. They'll also want to go with someone who they believe has the experience.

But with Bill Clinton in the background, I see your point.