grace.

They say what people remember best about others they come into contact with is their first impression, and their last.

So let's hope what we -- and posterity -- remember best about Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign is the last impression she left: one of grace, unity and amazing historical import.

Last month, as Senator Clinton's campaign was beginning to show signs of genuine distress, one of her most vocal naysayers, editorialist extraordinaire Arianna Huffington, wrote a wonderful piece about how, even though defeated for the Democratic nomination and ultimately the presidency, Clinton's campaign was a true victory for women.

Writes Huffington:

"But the greatest triumph of Clinton's campaign -- a complete triumph -- is the example she has set for the next generation. And not just for young women; her dedication, perseverance, and indefatigable drive make her a role model for young men as well.

"Much has been made of the generational divide in the Clinton-Obama battle, with older women rallying to Clinton and younger women drawn to Obama. But the impact of her candidacy transcends this division. I've seen this very clearly in the reaction of my oldest daughter.

"She voted for the first time in this year's California primary, casting her ballot for Obama. Yet hardly a day passes without her speaking with admiration, almost awe, about Hillary Clinton -- how she manages to get up every morning, no matter how hard things get for her, and keep following her dream.

"I've written a lot about fear and fearlessness, and how fearlessness is not the absence of fear -- it's the mastery of fear. It's all about getting up one more time than we fall down. Has any public figure embodied this more powerfully and compellingly than Hillary Clinton?"

If nothing else -- and honestly, there's plenty of something else -- Hillary never let the bastards get her down. And that represents true inspiration for us all.