And your prize is...

Congratulations, Barack Obama. You are now the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. Here’s what you win: a divided party, an opponent who hasn’t been attacked by your party members in months and pockets that might not be as deep in the general election. \nHillary Clinton is no longer in the race for the White House. It took long enough. Now that Obama is the victor, he has to enter the next step of the race more battered and bruised than his opponent John McCain.\nIt’s not looking good for Obama. McCain has been the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party since March, about three months longer than Obama. Meanwhile, Obama and Clinton battled it out for the chance to defeat the Republicans. Seems somewhat counterproductive. But they’re passed that now. \nDespite Clinton supporting Obama for the general election like virtually every major Democrat, Obama will still have to deal with bitter Clinton supporters. In a Gallup poll back in March, it was found that about a quarter of Clinton supporters said they would vote for McCain instead of Obama, if Hillary didn’t make it.\nThere’s also the problem that McCain hasn’t had to debate anyone, or be the focus of criticism since he became the presumptive nominee. So while Obama and Clinton were snarling at each other, McCain wooed Republican voters and convinced wary social conservatives that he was the candidate for them. \nObama didn’t have that luxury. That’s huge considering the nation will be heading to the voting booths in about five months. \nHowever, Obama has the advantage of money. Obama raised more money than McCain during the nominating process. He can easily outraise and outspend McCain in the general election, right? Well, that might prove to be complicated.\nObama wasn’t always the powerhouse he is now. He was once just another candidate trying to maybe, just maybe, put a dent in Clinton’s lead at the time. \nIn February 2007, Obama made a pledge to accept public financing in the general election if he gained the nomination and if his opposition did the same. McCain also agreed to this. It would limit each of them to spending a total of $85 million during the general-election campaign period.\nObama has a dilemma here. He is a man of change, a man of truth, a man who won the nomination not just because of his ideals, but because his wallet eclipsed the size of everyone else’s. Accepting public financing would be devastating for Obama. He would lose one of his biggest advantages. But then again, it probably wouldn’t be wise to go back on his word. Obama doesn’t need his character attacked any more than it already has been. \nIt might seem like I’m predicting the defeat of Obama and the Democratic Party before Obama has even had a chance to transition to the general election. I’m not. I’m just saying it’s not looking good right now. But if Obama’s past can give us any insight into the future, he might be able to pull this off.