Clintons seen helping Obama

WASHINGTON, June 8 (UPI) -- Hillary Clinton will be a force in helping Barack Obama's campaign for the U.S. presidency, a key member of her campaign said Sunday.

Howard Wolfson, who was the New York senator's campaign communications director, said on CBS' "Face the Nation" that Clinton will do whatever Obama and his campaign ask of her to help the Illinois senator defeat Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee.

"I mean, the stakes are that high. She's exhorted her own followers and her own supporters, 18 million of them, to vote for Sen. Obama, to work for Sen. Obama, to give money to Sen. Obama. Because she knows that the only way that we continue the progress she's been working for her whole life is to elect Sen. Obama," Wolfson said, adding he thinks former President Bill Clinton also will do whatever is asked of him.

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., another Clinton backer, said while it is solely Obama's decision, he would like to see Clinton as Obama's running mate, calling it "an absolutely unbeatable ticket, and I think it would be terrific for the country."

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., who also is being mentioned as vice presidential material, said he is happy to talk to Obama about that possibility but "I'm not really looking to be in that spot."