Hillary to be offered a dignified exit

Washington: Hillary Clinton will be offered a dignified exit from the presidential race and the prospect of a place in Barack Obama's cabinet under plans for a "negotiated surrender" of her White House ambitions being drawn up by Senator Obama's aides.

The former First Lady would get the chance to pilot Obama's reforms of the American healthcare system if she agrees to clear the path to his nomination.

Senior figures in the Obama camp have told Democrat colleagues that the offer to Senator Clinton of a cabinet post as health secretary or to steer new legislation through the Senate will be a central element of their peace overtures to her.

Obama said that he believed he would have secured the support of enough delegates to make him the standard bearer of his party in November's presidential election by the end of this week.

After yesterday's primary election in Puerto Rico and tomorrow's final contests in Montana and South Dakota, the remaining superdelegates will come under huge pressure from fellow party grandees to declare their hands.

Face-saving

The Obama camp, however, remains nervous about Clinton's intentions and ambitions, and is preparing a face-saving package that will allow her to continue to play a role in healthcare reform.

Despite pressure from some Clinton allies, Obama and his advisers do not wish to ask her to be his vice-presidential running mate.

"They will talk to her," one Democrat strategist close to senior figures in the Obama camp said.

"They will give her the respect she deserves. She will get something to do with healthcare, a cabinet post or the chance to lead the legislation through the Senate."

Another Democrat who has discussed strategy with friends in the Obama inner circle said that Obama was openly considering asking Clinton to join his cabinet, alongside two other former presidential rivals: John Edwards, who is seen as a likely attorney general; and Joe Biden, who may become Secretary of State.