WASHINGTON: Hillary Clinton has said that she remained a wholehearted backer of Barack Obama's presidential run as her disappointed supporters refused to cede the party nomination to her fellow Democrat.In an online chat with supporters ahead of the Democratic convention in Denver at the end of this month, the New York senator refused to dwell on talk of her running as Obama's vice presidential nominee.

"I am going to continue to do whatever I can to help Senator Obama and Democrats across the country win in the November (elections)," Clinton said, ahead of her first solo rally for Obama in Las Vegas.Asked about joining Obama's ticket as running mate, the former first lady said: "I have said repeatedly that I will do whatever Senator Obama asks me to do."This is Senator Obama's decision and his alone and I am going to respect the privacy of that process by not discussing it."

After a bitterly fought primary campaign with Obama, Clinton suspended her drive for the Democrats' presidential nomination in June and then gave her full support to his election battle against Republican John McCain.But some of her diehard supporters are stepping up a campaign to get Clinton's name onto the nominating ballot at the convention, in a last-gasp effort to derail Obama's coronation.

The group Colorado Women Count/Women Vote plans to hold a pro-Clinton parade in Denver on August 26, the second day of the convention when the New York senator is rumored to be given a prime-time speaking slot.