Month after month, the Democratic presidential primary campaign has thrashed from state to state, costing hundreds of millions. Finally, the end is near: Indiana and North Carolina this week - West Virginia Tuesday - Kentucky and Oregon May 20 - Puerto Rico June 1 - Montana and South Dakota June 3.

When the laundry list of states finally is done, Barack Obama seems sure to remain ahead in popular votes and convention delegates - but he probably will fall short of the 2,025 delegates needed to lock up the nomination. The latest Associated Press count puts him near 1,860, about 165 shy. Unless more "superdelegates" (party officials and officeholders) swing behind him, the contest could be undecided when the Democratic National Convention opens Aug. 25 in Denver.

A bitter final struggle between Obama and Hillary Clinton during the convention could be ruinous, splitting the Democratic Party and boosting chances of a Republican victory in the fall.

To avert that outcome, some insiders want to hold a "superdelegate caucus" before the convention to hammer out a consensus, choose the winner, and avoid ugly damage at Denver. Perhaps that's the best solution - if the superdelegates unite behind the popular frontrunner, Obama.

Here's a further suggestion now being raised by various party leaders such as former Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D-Tenn.: Since both Obama and Clinton have made strong showings in their nationwide battle, with armies of supporters backing each of them, why can't they join in a powerful "dream team" ticket? Obama, well ahead, deserves to be the presidential nominee, with Clinton as running-mate.

If the two could put aside their differences and cooperate, an Obama-Clinton ticket could heal the riven Democratic Party and erase the $11.4 million personal debt that Clinton has incurred. It could create the toughest possible team to face a GOP pair in November. With the party united, Democratic chances of success would rise. Some analysts say that if just one of the rivals is on the ballot, many of the other's ardent backers may go AWOL in the general election, or even vote Republican.

Could superdelegates broker an Obama-Clinton team, for approval at the convention? This would present the most potent ticket in November and boost the prospect of a Democratic win.

Obama seems receptive to such a pairing. On CNN Thursday, he called Clinton an "extraordinary candidate" who would "be on anybody's short list to be a potential vice presidential candidate." ABC News analyst George Stephanopoulos - who spoke in Charleston at the 2006 Gazette-WVU Festival of Ideas - reported Thursday that top Clinton aides are eager to discuss a team-up.

However, if the two rivals cannot reconcile, we hope Obama gets the nomination without disastrous infighting at the convention. If Democratic strife allows Republican John McCain to win the White House - continuing George Bush's harmful policies another four years - it will be tragic for America.

When the laundry list of states finally is done, Barack Obama seems sure to remain ahead in popular votes and convention delegates - but he probably will fall short of the 2,025 delegates needed to lock up the nomination. The latest Associated Press count puts him near 1,860, about 165 shy. Unless more "superdelegates" (party officials and officeholders) swing behind him, the contest could be undecided when the Democratic National Convention opens Aug. 25 in Denver.

A bitter final struggle between Obama and Hillary Clinton during the convention could be ruinous, splitting the Democratic Party and boosting chances of a Republican victory in the fall.

To avert that outcome, some insiders want to hold a "superdelegate caucus" before the convention to hammer out a consensus, choose the winner, and avoid ugly damage at Denver. Perhaps that's the best solution - if the superdelegates unite behind the popular frontrunner, Obama.

Here's a further suggestion now being raised by various party leaders such as former Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D-Tenn.: Since both Obama and Clinton have made strong showings in their nationwide battle, with armies of supporters backing each of them, why can't they join in a powerful "dream team" ticket? Obama, well ahead, deserves to be the presidential nominee, with Clinton as running-mate.

If the two could put aside their differences and cooperate, an Obama-Clinton ticket could heal the riven Democratic Party and erase the $11.4 million personal debt that Clinton has incurred. It could create the toughest possible team to face a GOP pair in November. With the party united, Democratic chances of success would rise. Some analysts say that if just one of the rivals is on the ballot, many of the other's ardent backers may go AWOL in the general election, or even vote Republican.

Could superdelegates broker an Obama-Clinton team, for approval at the convention? This would present the most potent ticket in November and boost the prospect of a Democratic win.

Obama seems receptive to such a pairing. On CNN Thursday, he called Clinton an "extraordinary candidate" who would "be on anybody's short list to be a potential vice presidential candidate." ABC News analyst George Stephanopoulos - who spoke in Charleston at the 2006 Gazette-WVU Festival of Ideas - reported Thursday that top Clinton aides are eager to discuss a team-up.

However, if the two rivals cannot reconcile, we hope Obama gets the nomination without disastrous infighting at the convention. If Democratic strife allows Republican John McCain to win the White House - continuing George Bush's harmful policies another four years - it will be tragic for America.