I recently opined on how I don’t believe in conspiracy theories. I’d like to briefly add that “facts” aren’t always the “truth.”

Intelligence, it has been said, is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time. Facts often times contradict each other. Consider that there are some environmental scientists who claim the Earth isheating up, and some who say an ice age is imminent.

Both scientific camps have research, models, and facts to back up their assertion.

The truth is, the Earth is changing. And human industry is helping to accelerate this process, which might or might not be part of the natural cycle of the planet.

A well-respected, conservative blog has abetted a rumor that suggests that Senator Hillary Clinton might run as an Independent. It is just a rumor, and it could be a rumor invented by the opposition to further exploit the fissures in the Democratic Party.

There will never be a third party. But that’s not saying both political parties are immortal. Just because the system will not accept a powerful third party doesn’t mean that one party cannot be usurped by another. It doesn’t mean that political fratricide cannot occur.

Allegedly encouraged by so-called Independent Democrat Joseph Lieberman, the idea that Hillary Clinton would run as an independent is stunning. Embittered by what they see as graceless revolt, the Clintons no doubt enjoy the fear inspired by this rumor and the idea of them transforming themselves into the Democratic version of Ross Perot.

Senator Lieberman, a hawk who won as an Independent and caucuses with the Democrats, still stings over his state party, flush with future Obama-ites, who kicked him off their ticket. No doubt he likewise enjoys this rumor. There are those in the Democratic Party who resent the arrogance of the elitist, coastal MoveOn.org set.

But Senator Hillary Clinton won’t run as an Independent. While she might fight for Vice President, at this point it would seem like weakness, or capitulation to blackmail, for Barack Obama to accept her on the ticket.

Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo would like to see this ticket. Many wouldn’t.

The old southern nucleus of the Democratic Party, those who didn’t abandon the party after Southern President Lyndon Johnson seemingly betrayed the last remnants of the Jim Crow South by pushing through civil rights laws, have been cordoned off by the Clinton campaign. This group, made up of die-hard Clinton supporters — white working class women and establishment Baby Boomers — has formed an alliance with election tipping clout.

They solidified a base alienated by the modern Democratic Party.

Let’s ignore facts and speculation for a moment. Barack Obama is the nominee. Hillary Clinton doesn’t want history to remember her as the woman who nuked her own party.

Let’s focus on the truth: a house divided cannot stand.

Barack Obama cannot win if the Clinton tribe is not engaged. And the question will be, how to engage them?

How does a party divided heal itself? Or will 2008 be like 2004 — an election where the Republicans don’t win so much as the Democrats lost?

Here are two opposed thoughts we must hold in our mind at the same time — the Democrats don’t want to win with Hillary Clinton but they cannot win without her.

–John DeVore