With the apparent death of do-overs for the Michigan and Florida primaries, with Sen. Obama's historic speech about race and religion, and with last weekend's shift of Edwards' Iowa delegates to Obama's camp, the Democratic race for the presidential nomination is over, for all intents and purposes... and Barack Obama has won.

Writes Politico.com today, "One big fact has largely been lost in the recent coverage of the Democratic presidential race: Hillary Rodham Clinton has virtually no chance of winning."

The deal was all-but-sealed today by the glowing endorsement of Obama by Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a former contender for the nomination, who said in an email I received overnight:

"I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President...

"My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall.

"Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad."

Gov. Richardson served as both Energy Secretary and U.N. Secretary under President Bill Clinton, and is personally close to both Clintons. Word has it that Richardson, who famously watched the Superbowl with the former president, has been under pressure from the Clinton camp to either endorse Hillary, or remain silently neutral on the race.... a pressure keenly felt by hundreds of other uncommitted superdelegates.

Could Trigger a Tsunami of Other Superdelegates for Obama
Richardson breaking the embargo of Clintonian pressure is meaningful, and could trigger a tsunami of other superdelegates to also break their silence by endorsing Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

Citing his reason for endorsing Sen. Obama now, a full month before the next Democratic primary, Richardson touchingly wrote:

"Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him...

"As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words. I have been troubled by the demonization of immigrants--specifically Hispanics-- by too many in this country. Hate crimes against Hispanics are rising as a direct result and now, in tough economic times, people look for scapegoats and I fear that people will continue to exploit our racial differences--and place blame on others not like them.

"We all know the real culprit -- the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration!"

Bill Richardson for Vice President, anyone? There's great logic to the idea.

For more about about the first Latino to run for President and the most deeply experienced Democratic candidate who ran in 2008, read Profile of Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico.

And read here for Barack Obama's Courageous Speech on Race & Faith.

(Photo taken on Sept 16, 2007 in Iowa: David Lienemann/Getty Images)