While some Obama supporters thought it should have happened weeks or even months ago--or certainly night before last, when Obama was able to claim victory--Hillary Clinton has now make it abundantly clear she's suspending her campaign on Saturday and acknowledging her rival as the Democratic nominee.

"Suspension" rather than withdrawal (a fairly common step among losing candidates) means she can keep raising money to retire her substantial debts. It also means, though you won't hear much about it publicly, that in the unlikely event of some catastrophic blow to Obama's general election prospects, she could reactivate her candidacy before the convention.

Expect a few days of careful maneuvering by the Obama camp to let Clinton wrap things up, amidst hopes that she will endorse Obama in a manner that will quell most of the pro-McCain talk you hear from some of her core supporters.