Some positions cannot be claimed. They must be bestowed. For example, I could not have become a tenured Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center unless and until my colleagues there voted to give me that title and the President of the University recognized that vote. Whether it seemed likely or unlikely that I would be considered for a tenured position, voted one, and approved by the university president, nothing made me a tenured Professor of Law other than what did happen: I was considered, my colleagues did vote me tenure, and the president endorsed their vote.   For that, I will be forever proud and appreciative. Certainly, while I awaited the outcome of the process that entitled me to call myself Professor of Law, I hoped I would receive that position. But no matter how hard I hoped for or wanted the post, it was not my place to claim it for myself. Indeed, had I done so, my colleagues would have been rightly offended and appalled. I would have been regarded as presumptuous at the least, confused at best, and obnoxious at worst.   While I certainly relate to the wishful thinking exhibited by Senator Obama last night - he clearly very much wants the nomination and he is entitled to his aspirations - wishful thinking cannot make someone the Democratic nominee.   This holds true for Senator Clinton too of course. But she has not declared herself the nominee. She seems to appreciate the difference between being and hoping. Further indication of her reality based perspective.