Hillary Clinton's concession, talking heads, Part One: liveblog

By GottaLaff (Note: I altered the post title to reflect this is MSNBC talk, not Hillary's speech)

MSNBC is dissecting. I'll be updating. Let's listen in:

Tim Russert: She has to fully embrace Obama today. Everyone will monitor every syllable. The thirst for change (v. experience) made the difference. This is the first time since 1980 a Clinton will have to concede an election, plus the end of a Bush and/or Clinton dynasty. People have to embrace Obama, unify, and beat John McCain: That needs to be her theme. Obama's campaign thinks she can help get him elected. The fact is, she's a major player in the Democratic party with a large voice, and can help him with women, Hispanics, blue collar voters. He needs her as a partner. He wants her help.

Keith Olbermann: Off her website: I will be speaking about we can rally the party behind Obama. Is that what this speech will be filled with, things that can be interpreted in two ways?

Tim: Yes, but also bring everyone together. It's in HER interest. She can't be seen in any way, shape or form, not giving him support. She can't be nominated in 2012 (if that were to happen) without the support of Obama supporters. They need each other. The Democrats need her to unite behind Obama, in June, not August. That was the message delivered, received, understood, and that's why we're here today.

Ron Allen, reporter: She will be very full-throated, supportive, and talk about the glass ceiling she that broke. One of her press people said she will emphasize the distance women have come in this country. And she's proud that she hung in there when people told her to get out. She'll also talk about issues: Health care especially. Also, she'll give a full endorsement to Obama. Her campaign will be dissected and she wouldn't want to be partly responsible for an Obama loss against McCain. Last night's meeting was just part of a continuing dialog, not as momentous as some are making it out to be. They have a relationship, they'll continue to have one. The timing of that meeting made a lot of sense, so they could clear the air and get on with it.

Hillary supporter, Rep. Steve Israel, New York: This is the first day of absolute unity. We don't want more Bush with McCain. We have an outstanding candidate, we're making history today. This is not a time to look back, but move forward and make sure McCain doesn't exploit our party... reverse the disastrous course of the Bush presidency.

Rachel Maddow, Eugene Robinson, and Pat Buchanan join in.

Rachel: How much distance will Hillary have to travel between her Tuesday speech and today? What would indicate the wrong signal?

Eugene: White hard-working voters wouldn't be somewhere she wants to go. Avoid giving her explanation of why Obama can't win the states she won. That argument undercuts his candidacy. She would mention her 17 million votes, expected, but not draw the conclusion that she's the better candidate.

Pat: A second problem for her: Insincerity, lavishing praise on Obama when she's feeling melancholy. She should stress their coming together because the country is at stake, and why they can't afford to lose. It's an audition.

Eugene: She has to say not only why the Dems have to win, but why Obama has to win.

Tim: (Chris asked if she'll be on the ticket) I don't know. The Clinton forces changed their argument quickly. Now she has issued her own statement that it's Obama's decision and she'll help in any way. And Obama pushed saying, he won't be rushed into this. It was his first opportunity to show he was the head of the party. The pros and cons are obvious to both sides. It'll be a cold calculation of whether she can help get him elected. Selecting Hillary to many of his supporters goes against Change. He said he wants to "turn the page". But, come August, he'll decide what would influence the swing states. If he's personally comfortable with her, and if she can help him win those states: Those are the questions he has to deal with, but any idea of her forcing her way in has been banished for good.