* Our elections will continue to have strong “third party” voices at this point in our history since both parties are perceived to be too vested in an existing system, and Obama can be projected onto as someone who is fresh and outside but certainly not a frightening force to be reckoned with such as Nader or Paul (outside/inside examples).
* People have the gut instincts to know that Hillary would have a hard time beating McCain with a large margin and no one wants to take that chance.
There are only two issues: health care and the war. If both are addressed the economy will be addressed by default (health care is what? 23% of GDP or something, and illegal immigration is the new gay marriage for this election). Hillary carries the stink of failure on that first one, and it’s hard to shake. Obama’s already got a partial plan which may allow him to actually beat back big pharma and the insurance companies.