Firstly, let me declare, as you have done, my own bias. I am one of the disaffected cross-over Republicans who is an ardent Obama supporter.

You cite "...a careful reading of the exit polls in practically every major state..."

The problem I see: This ignores an amazing shift in the American political landscape. This election not like 2000 and 2004. And yet, despite a palpable shift, it seems that almost every analyst argues and reasons from the old paradigm. Because of Barack Obama's unprecedented efforts, combined with Hillary staying so long in the race, which has given him both the impetus and time to maximize those efforts, we are no longer looking at a charged up GOP against a less than charged up last minute desperation guilt-out-the-vote drive by Democrats. This November will not be decided by more or less equally polarized voters, who will stay up late to find out which candidate will get the barely 51% winner-take-all electoral nod.

The polls you cite, with which you are giving your careful reading, reflect percentages, but not real numbers -- and not the very real percentage differences that now exist across party lines. This election cycle, GOP enthusiasm, appeal, and popularity is at an all time low. Republicans and Independent cross-overs favor Obama by a considerable margin. Remember the Reagan Democrats, and don't ignore the Obama Republicans, of which I am one, who are capable and willing to reach out (or back) in a way that transcends both party and ideology.

I personally don't care if a black man or a white woman or a black woman is elected president. That is not a criteria for me, and I would consider it racist or sexist on my part if it was, but that's just me, and you might well disagree. Paraphrasing, I agreed with Chief Justice Roberts when he said that the way to end racism (or sexism) is to eliminate these things as qualifiers. I will not vote for Barack Obama because he black. Some will, I won't, because it is not at issue for me. Likewise, I would not vote for Hillary because she is a woman, nor would I make that a qualifier.

I have looked at the polls, and carefully read them. I have also considered what I believe are the real new numbers that the polls do not reflect, and not just the raw selection percentages. I truly believe the nation will be shocked, beginning with the MSM, when they see the pendulum has swung full force in the opposite direction, as history repeats itself and Reagan's Landslide becomes Obama’s Landslide of '08.

In short, Barack Obama does not need Hillary Clinton to make that a reality, despite all threats of defections. He is not picking over the old crop of polarized voters. He has sewn, and will reap and harvest, an entirely new crop of the electorate, of which I am one small, but significant and underestimated part.