Barack Obama has hired Patti Solis Doyle, the Clinton campaign manager who was ousted in February, as the chief of staff to the vice-presidential candidate. Doubtless, some Clinton supporters will read a lot of meaning into the appointment of a longtime Clinton friend to such a position as a sign of hope that Obama really is considering the New York senator as a running mate, but fat chance, says the Washington Post:

Given that Solis Doyle was fired from the Clinton campaign, is now at odds with several senior officials who remained and has a strained relationship with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton herself these days, the appointment may well signal that Clinton's chances of being picked for the vice presidential slot are close to nil.

"Strained relationship" may be putting it mildly.

Last week, the Times reported that Solis and Clinton haven't even spoken since Solis was sacked. "If anything," Clinton loyalists told the Washington Post "it is an insult."

But don't lose hope, Hillary fans: Remember, this is a woman who went back to her husband after his boning of escapades with a White House intern made international news. We doubt this slight will stop her from trying to work it out.

Former Clinton Campaign Manager Joins Obama Team [Caucus/NYT]
Solis Doyle Joins Obama Campaign [WP]