There’s been a lot of talk lately about “tough decisions,” and “uncomfortable conversations” when Hillary Clinton’s name is brought up on Capitol Hill these days.

The latest victim of that apparent agony is Rep. John Lewis, an elder of the civil rights movement, and one of the coveted Super Delegates, who announced today that despite his friendship with Hillary Clinton, he would be backing Barack Obama instead.

His rational echoed that of so many others. He said he was surprised by Obama, by the burst of enthusiasm around his candidacy, that Lewis says is proof that “something is happening in America,” the same line Barack Obama often uses in his victory speeches.

It’s what Sen. Chris Dodd said in announcing his support of Barack Obama yesterday. He seemed unsettled by his decision too, saying he cared deeply about Senator Clinton and the phone call was not easy.

As difficult as it may be for her colleagues, even Hillary Clinton has said it’s not a bad problem to have. Friendships and loyalties have always been casualties of politics. But much like everything else in this business, the pain is usually temporary too.

Cleveland, Ohio:

Today Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) stood side-by-side with his former rival, Senator Barack Obama, and announced his endorsement of the Democratic nominee. Dodd, who dropped out of the race following his defeat in Iowa, became the first 2008 Democratic candidate to endorse in the race.

“It’s now the hour to come together,” Dodd announced, appealing to Democrats, Independents and others to come together to keep the Party cohesive enough to ensure victory in November against Senator John McCain.

Later when responding to a question during the avail, Dodd issued a “cautionary note” against an ugly campaign for the nomination. He warned, “Be careful this week. We have good people running.” Adding, “I know the temptation in campaigns, beyond the ability of the candidates themselves to control it, can get out of control. We’ve witnessed a little bit of that here, and I’m worried about it, and one of the things I wanted to say this morning…was to urge these campaigns to be careful. We’re on the brink, I think, of a great victory for this country, and I don’t want to see us lose that opportunity because of the mistakes made or the divisiveness that can enter a campaign.”

Following the circulation yesterday of the photograph of Senator Obama dressed in traditional Somali garb,  Obama recognized that “at this stage in the campaign, there are going to be dust-up, particularly at the staff level. Certainly I don’t think that that photograph was circulated to enhance my candidacy. I think that’s fair to say. Do I think that it is reflective of Senator Clinton’s approach to the campaign? Probably not.”

So what’s to be expected at tonight’s debate, after Hillary Clinton challenged him last week, “Meet me in Ohio.”?

Barack Obama is likely prepared for a contentious debate, but told reporters today, “I would expect her to argue vigorously her case, or why she should be president. And I’m sure she’ll point out differences she has with me. I will do the same, but I’m sure it will be conducted in civil fashion, because, at this point, as Senator Clinton said in the last debate, it’s been an honor to not only participate in this process with her, but also with people like Chris Dodd, and Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich - all outstanding individuals who have made enormous contributions to this country.”

Barack Obama has taken to asking voters to make him their second choice candidate - although he jokes they’d be better served if he were their first choice, of course. Why? Well, in order for a candidate to remain viable in the Iowa caucus system, he or she has to have at least 15% support from caucus goers. If a candidate, say a Chris Dodd, doesn’t get that magic percentage, his supporters will have to realign behind another candidate.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe told reporters on a conference call this morning that Obama and Edwards, and not Hillary Clinton, will be the two candidates likely to get support from Richardson, Kucinich, Dodd, and Biden supporters. Which could lead to Iowa success.

So Obama was sure to hear out 59-year-old Gene Blanshan, a self-described Biden supporter, at an event in Jefferson, Iowa. Blanshan asked the senator why he should pick Obama over Edwards as his second choice.

Obama spent a few minutes outlining the differences, including where he has consistently stood on issues like NAFTA, No Child Left Behind, and the Iraq war. He added, “The point I am making is in my gut, there is a consistency of who I am fighting for, what I believe in, choices I have made in my life that can give you some assurance of when I get into the White House, I am going to be fighting for you. And I am not going to be different as time goes on.”

Blanshan was immediately swarmed by the press following the event. He told us he asked Edwards the same question - and he made up his mind as to who his number two candidate is.

While Hillary Clinton buzzes around Iowa in her “Hill-a-copter” on the “Every County Counts - Working for Change, Working for You” tour, Obama is doing a little barnstorming himself. He’s in the middle of a five-day, 23-city tour through Iowa — all on a nondescript bus on an unnamed bus tour.

Most candidates ride around early voting states in moving billboards - there’s a bright yellow bus somewhere in Iowa with a giant photo of Chris Dodd’s face on it while John Edwards is cruising around on his “Main Street Express” bus, whose fancy paint job reads, “America Belongs to Us” and “John Edwards ‘08″ underneath.

Apparently splashy buses are not Obama’s style. His understated vehicle (seen below) has no graphics, no signs, and no photos. There is one sign, the campaign told me, but it faces inside to provide a backdrop for television interviews conducted on the bus.

“You don’t need a gimmick to win,” a campaign official said. “You just need to talk to voters.”