Now that Senator Obama has - barring some unexpected event - clinched the Democratic nomination, what of the VP candidate(s). If we were betting, our money would be on Senator Diane Feinstein.

Should she be willing (not guaranteed at this time), she would bring multiple benefits to the ticket.

First, there is the "Hillary vote". Her primary strength was among older white women, and here Senator Feinstein is far more than just a consolation prize. She is a senior senator with impeccable feminist and liberal credentials, and no political lightweight. A consummate Washington insider, she could get a lot of things done on her own, building on Dick Cheney's work in raising the power and influence of the Vice-President's position. And it will not displease women voters that one of them is first in line for the presidency.

Second, there is the balance in terms of skills and experience, which reminds us of the 1960 Kennedy-Johnson team. Kennedy was charismatic and articulate as is Obama, but suffered from the same drawback in terms of relative Washington inexperience. Senator Feinstein's extensive legislative experience, just like Lyndon Johnson's then, would compensate for that, insuring that the relationship between the White House and Congress would be smooth and productive, and that communications would remain open.

Third, there is the matter of California, with its 55 electoral votes. The state normally leans strongly Democratic, but might be up for grabs this year: there is a popular Republican governor, and a Republican presidential nominee with strong appeal to independents and moderates. Together, Arnold and McCain could make a go of it, but with Ms. Feinstein standing in the way it would be an uphill battle, to say the least.

Finally, there is the "Who else?" question. With Hillary Clinton out of consideration, Barack Obama can of course pick any of a number of governors or senators. The problem here is that he would overshadow them all. Another male contender would come across as either a rival, or a subservient backdrop. Diane Feinstein would be neither: a highly successful female politician with a proven record, putting her experience and voter appeal at the service of her party.

Unless Barack Obama already has his mind made up, he will probably wait a few weeks in order for the disappointment at Hillary's withdrawal to fade a bit, and then spring his choice on the voters. Interestingly, the last meeting Hillary and he had was hosted by Senator Feinstein. Maybe the idea of her being on the ticket has already been floated.