I'm from the Silicon valley, am Barrack Obama's age and voted for Howard Dean, love the internet. Yes, having facebook popularity, slavish media support, superstar oratory status, and a fabulous hypnotic ability for people to invest unquestioning faith in you and see what they want to see in you counts. The internet is for real. All those qualities are for real too in Obama.

It's just not everything. For some people a paycheck means something and the fact we had the most fabulous tech economy and tech government support ever under the Clintons is hard to erase. Also hard to erase is the memory of how competently the war in Bosnia was won and quickly ended under the Clintons. Oh my god, real world facts! A couple of us still remember them, but don't worry the rest of you will probably win, attacking character because it's easy. Hey she's an older woman, you guys should have defeated her long ago with the younger male, I'm disappointed she isn't dead already. I have no idea what Obama will actually do, I'm glad you all know though -- it's exactly what you imagine he should do even though you all have contradictory ideas right? He can somehow make it all work without a hitch because he's Obama. All hail hypnotoad! My candidate is just a human being, a woman who I can't even remotely imagine getting a fair shake from the media, all we get from you is surprise as to why anyone would ever deign to vote for her.

You've come a long way typical white women! Yes that's you. I guess it's too scary for Obama to confront any racism in white men so he uses their surrogates and now universal punching bags, any non nubile white woman. I guess it's not enough to take away the first real chance at a female President and drag her character through the dust (and get away with calling her too ambitious, willing to do anything to win, talk about double standard geesh). Black men.. well they may be racist but so what, stand by them, they count for something. Let's use those white women as all our examples of racism no matter how tame the actual comments or fears in comparison! They'll vote democratic no matter what in November those white women, go ahead and punch and blame. They'll just stay in denial, and pull the lever for you.

Kinda late to finally hear Ms. Walsh state the glaringly obvious in this article. We won't see a female president until females in the press start acting like it matters. They were all too cool for school though or afraid to not be one of the guys or afraid to be labeled feminist while they wallowed in pseudo post modern sophistication. African Americans showed no such denial or hesitation and will be justly rewarded. At least the female reporters could have told the guys to get a room as they droll over Obama and McCain. Yes Hillary wasn't the perfect candidate but she was good enough. We may not see another in our lifetime. As I look at the civil rights movement and the old MLK signs there was one that always stuck in my craw and is still there "I am a man". Funny thing is noone ever carries a sign bragging about being a woman.

for all those snarkier and cooler than thou dismissals of Joan Walsh's article:

First reality check: A sad reality charismatic people tend to get shot. think Kennedy, MLK and Reagan. Conclusion -- It's VERY important who Obama picks as VP.

Second reality check: It is extremely unusual that the second place primary finisher is not considered seriously for VP, and are often picked. Even more unusual is one who got about half the parties votes not being considered seriously. Of course there is a risk of Clinton's supporters interpreting this as not only a snub to her but to females in general. Snarky "get over it" or "we don't need you Clinton supporter" comments don't help.

Third reality check: Picking an anti-choice candidate for VP adds fuel to the female snub risk.

Conclusion: Obama should pick a pro-choice candidate who is ready for prime time if he/she needs to be president. Biden is good, Clinton should be considered seriously too. Get over the snarkiness it and on to reality.

A candidate like Sebelius is completely acceptable as a VP and should be seriously considered. Now we are at the point of picking blatantly less qualified men (Kaine) for VP over wildly more qualified experienced women (Clinton and/or Sebelius for example). I understand completely that people who worked hard for Clinton would be miffed in general The way Clinton has been oddly ignored for the post is ugly. Picking the runner up, especially an extremely strong runner up is a very common tradition of unity the party. Obama's most ardent supporters snarkily dismissing Clinton supporters feelings with "we don't need them" is particularly unwise when Obama can't seem put distance between himself and McCain in a golden opportunity year. Should Obama pick a woman? Hell yes. Obama's not going to appease the stogiest white men with picking a white man for Veep? Nope. They can have a real white guy for Pres if they want already called McCain. Does the woman Obama picks have to be Clinton? No.

Might Obama win with a male VP? Sure, it's a golden year. However it's easier for women to overlook being overlooked yet again if the guy is at least also experienced and funny like a Joe Biden.