It is a Hiring Decision

I'm an Independent from a largely Republican family, and Supporter of Barack Obama..  Here's why...

The four main things I want from a president in order of importance:

1. Honesty / Character

2. Strategic Vision.

3. Communication and Motivational skills

4. Management skills.

Of the remaining 3 candidates I give Obama the edge on all four points.
But since we can't really start dealling with McCain until the Democratic primary is finished I'll compare Hillary and Obama on these characteristics.

1. Honesty / Character.    No one who's read "Dreams of my Father" "Audacity of Hope" or listened to his speech on race can deny that Obama is a different kind of politician.   He lays it all out there, more honestly and sincerely than I've ever seen in politics...   It's refreshing and inspiring.   Clinton was still ducking Sniper fire as of press time..

2)Strategic Vision.. Look no further than the way this campaign has played out.    Hillary only realized this election was about change AFTER she'd lost 11 states in a row.  Obama has had the vision to see a "New Politics" that people are embracing.  His book sales, his crossover appeal, and the number of young educated members he's brought into the party are testament to the hunger for a new tone in political discourse.   Hillary is stuck in the just win %51, win the coastal states, political strategy that will keep us divided.

3. Communication Motivation..  His unique background has given him an insight into the linguistics of both Conservatives & Liberals and Minorities & Caucasians.   I have never once been truly inspired by a speech given by Hillary.   Her speeches always seem forced and insincere.  

Obama actually wrote his speech on race himself and well as his two books.
Clinton has alway relied on help in both her books and speeches.   As far as motivational skills go;  Obama motivated millions to contribute small donations to his grass roots campaign.    His Victory over Clinton will be nothing short of miraculous, when looked at from where he started and how far behind he trailed the Clinton old school political machine.

4. Management Skills..   I might have given Hillary this one, but her  very presence in the race at this point disqualifies her.

Part of my job as a project manager involves risk analysis.  
You weight opportunity cost verse the negative risks  of a particular course of action.    So Hillary after she did OK in Ohio and knew she only had a fictional/perceived victory in Texas (Was obvious election night that Obama was going to pass her after caucus was counted) She had to choose a path.   Continue or get behind Obama and start focusing on McCain .  Actuaries and Strategists put her chances at less than %10 of winning the nomination.  So lets looks at the substantive benefit of her winning the nomination.  Their policy positions are so similar that it is next to nothing.  The biggest policy difference I can find is %1 more people might opt out of Obama's universal health care plan.  With regard to foreign policy  even the nebulous First Lady experiences she claims are with countries and cultures that will not be our main concern over the next eight years  (Northern Ireland, Kosovo).   Our real problems will be with Middle Eastern, African, and Latin American nations.  Barack has a far better chance in reaching those people IMO, and his willingness to engage in dialog with countries that don't like us is plus.

Getting back to risk reward:
Now when you analyze this %10 chance of winning, it carries with it a 99.99 of catastrophic failure for the larger project here.  The larger project being rebuild our education system, reforming health care, getting out of Iraq, the mortgage crisis, deficit spending, etc etc etc etc...
That 10 percent chance counts on seating 2 elections that were disqualified and Obama (as he & Clinton agreed) did not even campaign.  In  addition that chance counts on super delegates over turning the popular vote and pledged delegates.   The combination of these two will turn off an entire generation to the democratic party.  And they won't have to vote for McCain.  They'll take their grievance on this rotten bill of goods to a consumer advocate..  Ralph Nader.  
The fact that she would risk this outcome for what amounts to minor policy differences tell me one of a few things..  
Either:

1. She's and inept manager who just has no idea of the consequences of her actions.

2. She's aware of the risks but is delusional enough to believe only SHE can save the country from the GOP hordes out to get her.

3. She doesn't really care about the larger issues and really just wants the power, and if she does not get it then if does not matter that McCain wins.