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By refusing to concede and instead dangling “18 million voters” before Obama’s eyes, Hillary Clinton is threatening to withhold her “army” of backers from Obama until she gets what she wants, whatever that is.

Obama has reached out to her. But he would be wise to offer her nothing and let her hang out to dry. Meanwhile he should work around the edges to pry her supporters away without conceding her anything.

Already Maxine Waters has broken from Clinton. Obama now has to work on winning over Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, Jon Corzine of New Jersey, Rep. Charlie Rangel of New York and other key Clinton supporters. Once he secures their public backing Obama needs to get them to bring their people along.

After Clinton supporters really start paying attention to what McCain is saying, they will gravitate to Obama.

In any case, he can wait. This is way too early to pick a VP. If she doesn’t want to concede and endorse him, ignore her and let her be marginalized. Then whom will her “18 million” voters follow?

Tonight it looks like she has an army. But how long will it stay together when she has no more primary campaigns to run, no more rousing speeches to make?

Time is on Obama’s side. The last thing he should do is give in to the Clintons’ blackmail.

After playing a small bit of voicemail tag, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton talked by phone early Wednesday morning.

There isn’t a lot of detail about what exactly the two said to each other, but Obama communications director Robert Gibbs told Time’s Mark Halperin that “about 12:16 am ET Obama and Clinton chatted by phone where Obama congratulated her [for her win in South Dakota] and reiterated his offer to ‘sit down when it makes sense for you.’”

While Clinton agreed to a meeting, no specific plans were made for the two to get together on Wednesday.

Last week’s piece naming Cristiano Ronaldo the greatest player in the World sparked interest among a couple of STO readers regarding who I would consider Ronaldo’s rivals for the top spot in all of soccer.

So, without further ado, I will continue my countdown (which is admittedly more of a count up) with my number two player in the world, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite.

Who?

Kaka, that’s who.

I know. Amusing that Kaka would be number two, but I didn’t place him here simply for the potty humor pun. Rather, I believe Kaka to be head and shoulders above the number three player in the world (who will be named later), and, in fact, the only player who can really rival Ronaldo in the world.

Though, I must admit, when I also realized his preferred number was the double deuce, number 22, I couldn’t help but reckon Kaka is more familiar with poop than my septic tank.

The twenty-six year ancient Kaka, like Ronaldo, plays primarily in midfield, though he can also deconstruct a defense from the second striker position. In a professional career spanning seven seasons, he has played for only two squads, Brazil’s Sao Paolo FC and Italy’s A.C. Milan.

Because his current contract does not expire until 2013, Kaka will apparently play nearly his entire career with only two clubs, a feat of stability most modern Galacticos do not delight in.

In Kaka’s first full season with Milan (2003), he scored ten goals and helped Milan’s capture of the Scudetto and the European Super Cup. In 2005, he helped Milan end second in the Champions League and in 2007, he led Milan’s capture of that elusive title.

Later that year, he was named Best Player in the World by FIFA.

Kaka’s international career has also had many successes. He was a cog (albeit a small one) in the Brazillian squad that captured the 2002 World Cup and he has averaged about one goal per every three international appearances, which is not shabby at all.

Expecially when once considers that at age 18 Kaka nearly became paralyzed after suffering an injury while playing in a swimming pool with friends. Kaka’s miraculous recovery has reinforced his Christian faith, which he exhibits far more than most soccer stars or celebrities would dare.

Then again, most athletes wouldn’t probably rock a “Jesus Likes You” or ”I Belong to Jesus” t-shirt under their jersey either. It takes a bold man to declare his like so openly for another man, even if the other guy was possibly divine.

Another thing Kaka likes?

His wife.

And let me tell you, how could you not like a wife that looks like this. Jesus likes her too. But he’s not in like with her. At least I hope not as it could throw a wrench in his whole celibacy thing.

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