On a private conference call moments ago, Hillary urged her top fundraisers in no uncertain terms to throw their weight behind Barack Obama, and directly asked them in surprisingly candid terms to give or raise money to help her pay off her campaign's debt.

At the same time, in a move that took some participants on the call by surprise, she also clarified that she was not asking their help in paying off her personal loans to the campaign.

Interestingly, Hillary also suggested that she would soon be making public statements about the media coverage of the campaign, as well as the ways "women were discussed," saying that she would "be doing more on that as we go forward."

"I am going to do everything I can to ensure victory for Senator Obama," Hillary told her fundraisers on the call. "I am asking each of you to do the same. I really believe we've got to see a Democrat sworn into the White House this January."

The call, which I was able to listen to in its entirety, left little doubt that Hillary was unequivocally signaling to her top financial supporters -- who are being actively courted by Obama -- that the time had come for them to do their part in getting him elected President.

Hillary added that "the stakes are too high" to do anything but "do all we can to elect Barack Obama President," in order to "turn the economy around" and "protect a woman's right too choose."

On the topic of her debts, Hillary said: "Many of you also know that my campaign is facing debt. That happens when you're outspent...I have also loaned money to the campaign which I consider an investment...I'm not expecting anybody to help pay that back."

"But I am hoping to get your help in our efforts to pay off our vendors," she continued, adding that "any amount you can give or help raise would go a long way" towards doing that.

Hillary then suggested that she'd be making public statements soon about the media's treatment of her candidacy.

Speaking of the campaign, Hillary noted that "there were a lot of other aspects to it that people are asking about. A lot of real concerns about some of the ways we were portrayed in the media and the way women were discussed."

"I will be doing more on that as we go forward," Hillary said.