McAuliffe told The Hill yesterday that Clinton has not made a decision on running for president and will not do so until after Nov. 7. McAuliffe also denied telling friends that he will serve as chairman, although sources contradict him.

He acknowledged that he would play a “huge role” in her presidential campaign if it materializes and that he has recruited donors for a possible White House run.

“I would just say that I hope she runs,” said McAuliffe. “She’s focused on the Senate and I’m focused on helping Democrats.

“Would I have a huge role on the campaign? Of course, that’s not real news. People know that I have has been around lining up people if she decides to run.”

“She’s got a full operation,” said Wade Randlett, a prominent Democratic fundraiser based in San Francisco, of the network of Democrats who are laying the financial groundwork for Clinton in the Bay Area. “There are many, many friends who are active for her.”

Randlett said donors who have met Clinton leave the room certain that she will run for president. He said the same clear impression is given by two other hopefuls, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D).

“For Kerry, for Warner, and for Hillary, they are all a certainty,” said Randlett. “People leaving the room all think she’s running for president.”