Obama refuses to be running mate of Clinton

US: U.S. Senator Barack Obama Monday flatly rejected suggestions he would be a vice presidential running mate for Senator Hillary Clinton.

Obama made the remarks at a rally in Columbus, Mississippi, CNN reported. Clinton, Obama's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, and her husband former President Bill Clinton have suggested a joint Clinton-Obama ticket with Obama in the second slot. Obama forcefully shot that idea down.

"Senator Clinton is fighting hard. She's tenacious. I respect her for that. She is working hard to win the nomination. But I want everybody to be absolutely clear. I'm not running for vice president. I'm running for president of the United States of America," Obama told supporters.

"With all due respect. I won twice as many states as Senator Clinton. I've won more of the popular vote than Senator Clinton. I have more delegates than Senator Clinton. So, I don't know how somebody who's in second place is offering vice presidency to the person who's in first place," he said.

Obama was campaigning in Mississippi a day before the state holds its primary Tuesday, while Clinton keeps her eye on the next big prize on the Democratic calendar, Pennsylvania.

Thirty-three delegates are at stake Tuesday, and in the tight Democratic race, every delegate is critical. WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Xinhua