Should Obama Punch Hillary’s Ticket? After almost five months of primaries and caucuses, with almost as many elected and super delegates as Obama, Hillary Clinton and her supporters can make a case that she deserves to be on his ticket.

It’s a legitimate case, worthy of some consideration, but not much. Hillary’s negatives would be a burden to Obama.

When Hillary went negative to negate Obama, her negatives soared. In New Hampshire, Obama said that Hillary was likeable enough, but today not enough people like her. Polls show that her negatives now outweigh her positives.

Plus, Hillary and Bill are now a double negative that has been over exposed. Bill accomplished what his impeachers couldn’t. His petty performance diminished him, and deep-sixed his wife.

As the first serious woman candidate for president, Hillary could have claimed the theme of change from Obama. Voters wanted inspiration, not experience. In a year of change, she didn’t get it so she won’t get it.

That said, Obama needs to extend an olive to the branch of the party that supported Hillary. Too many Hillary supporters say they will vote for McCain or stay at home. A dream ticket is doubtful, so who else is on the list?

A double play would be New Mexico’s Governor Bill Richardson who could counter McCain’s foreign policy experience and appeal to Hispanics whom Obama needs to capture. But Richardson is too nice a guy, and Clintonistas like Carville consider him a traitor for switching his allegiance to Obama.

How about Hillary supporter Strickland of Ohio. Who’s he you ask? So will most Americans.

In keeping with his theme of change and to capitalize on Hillary’s support with women, a particularly intriguing choice would be Missouri’s Senator Claire McCaskill.

But Obama himself epitomizes the change that he espouses. Too much change may be too much.

What Obama needs to do is reassure a public that will like his youth but question his experience. He needs to reach out to the moderate democratic demographic that supported Hillary. He needs someone tough to tackle McCain. The GOP is already selling fear. He needs someone that the Republicans will fear.

And if he can swing someone from a swing state, so much the better.

Memo to Barack: the tough guy you need has been a district attorney and a big city mayor. He carried Clinton to a win in the key Keystone State that you’ll need in November. This is a guy who can land a punch on the GOP for you. Pick the man from PA – Ed Rendell.  8:59 AM •