Obama was always over a barrel when it came to picking a running mate. Almost everyone he could choose was either going to be highly risky or seem like a boring let-down. Jim Webb risky; Tim Kaine a boring let-down; Evan Bayh maybe a little of both. Hillary Clinton’s failure to go quietly into the night compounded this predicament. Obama could risk a ticket of too many firsts*– or even take on the especially risky Mrs. Clinton — or he could let down millions of women who voted for Hillary. With possibilities like Clinton-endorsing Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland out of the veepstakes, things became even harder.

The closeness of the McCain-Obama race has convinced the Democratic nominee to play it safe (though I think he’s going to discover Biden is far from risk-free). B-o-o-ring. But somewhere, Hillary is smiling.

* I know it wouldn’t be the first woman nominated for vice president, but it would be the first elected.