....an untested candidate of "change" is the wrong person to carry out the Democratic side of the argument. What's needed is a sharp, savvy, highly skilled politician with a demonstrated grasp of our governmental system: Sen. Hillary Clinton.

This is not a Clinton love letter, to be sure.

If the next president is to be a Democrat - and we are not conceding that it will be - then Clinton should be the person who occupies the Oval Office, especially if she relegates her husband, former President Bill Clinton, to ceremonial status. She certainly has the brains, toughness and skill-set required to chart her own course.

And on Hillary's qualifications, it's very clear:

Turn her loose on the leadership of the Chinese, the Russians, the Pakistanis, the Saudis, the Iraqis, the Palestinians or the Israelis. Do readers have any doubt that those leaders will come away with a clearer understanding of America's foreign interests and national-security goals and her determination to pursue them? We don't.

If terrorists strike again at American interests anywhere in the world, does anyone doubt she will retaliate immediately? We don't.

Put her in a room with the Republican senators who likely will retain the power to derail initiatives dear to the Democrats. Does anyone doubt her ability to negotiate a compromise that works for the American people? We don't.

I take this endorsement more as a sign that Hillary is indeed electable and that the number of people who won't vote for a Clinton come hell or high water is getting smaller day by day. It's also a sign that the Republicans will use the inexperience card against Obama if nominated -- and that it will be the most effective one they have.