Sources tell the New York Times and a variety of other media outlets that Hillary Clinton is gathering her troops (i.e. the donors, supporters, donors, donors, and donors who made up her stellar operation) for a final speech in New York tonight, sending herself off in head-held high triumph.

The general gist of these stories is that this will be a "farwell speech" to the campaign and that her withdrawal will "come later in the week" to save face and help bolster her 2012 chances or whatever it is she plans on doing next.

“The advisers said Clinton has made a strategic decision to not formally end her campaign, giving her leverage to negotiate with Obama on various matters including a possible vice presidential nomination for her. She also wants to press him on issues he should focus on in the fall, such as health care.” [Wonkette]

Most Clinton advisers recognize that it’s just about time for a unity event with Obama, but they say she’ll take a day or more to choreograph her exit. [Politico]

Obama will claim victory tonight, using top Senators and Representatives, following his expected gain in the delegate count following today's South Dakota and Montana primaries. The question is, when did Hillary decide to drop out and why, after deciding to, did she continue her campaign? Is she after the Vice Presidential nomination or something else?

Via the New York Times.