Washington: Hillary Clinton's campaign predicted today a rapid end to the Democratic White House race next month as the press read the last rites to her quest to be the first woman president.

With more party elders drifting to Barack Obama's camp and the media declaring the nominating battle all but over, Clinton aides battled back with appeals for voters to be heard and for new donors to come forward.

Even as he vowed no surrender from the former first lady, Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said party bosses known as "superdelegates" would coalesce behind a candidate once the final primaries are held on June 3.

"I think it will be all over. I don't see it going to the (August) convention. We ll have a nominee in June," the legendary fundraiser said on NBC television.

"We've all said we'll be together at the end. If Hillary doesn't win, Hillary, president (Bill) Clinton, myself, we'll be over there helping Senator Obama," McAuliffe added.

"And, likewise, Senator Obama will come together to help Hillary if she's the nominee. We'll all be together."

Obama held a private meeting with several undeclared Democratic "superdelegates" in Washington, before rejoining the campaign trial in Oregon over the next two days.

"I think our goal is going to be to try to bring this party together as soon as possible, but we still have contests remaining," the Illinois senator told reporters.

"And so in no way am I taking this for granted. We're going to have to keep on working."

Source : PTI