"Stick with me, Ann," Barack Obama emails.

"Ann -- I don't want to lose this election."

Not because of what losing would mean for me -- Michelle and I will be fine no matter what happens.

Okay. Be careful. You know the reason many of us women feel inclined to stick with you is because we don't want you to have to feel bad. We don't want to hurt your feelings. We don't want you to think that we didn't think you were good enough.

But if it's all the same to you... well, then...

It's like your boyfriend is saying to you he could stay or go, it's all the same to him, but he doesn't want to hurt you. What girl doesn't say then get out so I can have someone with passion for this job?