While Hillary and Bill Clinton have both scored plum speaking spots on two separate nights during the Democratic National Convention in Denver in two weeks, party operatives are still trying to find the appropriate role for the former president and first lady in the crowning of Barack Obama as the party's presidential nominee.

The Clintons have not made it easy for Obama to assume the role of the Democratic Party's newest leader. After a grueling and record-long campaign season against Hillary Clinton, who remains a New York senator for now, Obama and his campaign have had to make sure both Clintons fall into line and don't undermine his chances at the presidency.

Both Clintons have gone out and publicly appeared to put the skids on full-on support, though they are said to be working behind the scenes and have rallied support at private functions.

In a widely aired video from a California fundraiser on July 31, Sen. Clinton did not kill suggestions that she let her name be on the nominating ballots and the nomination go for a full vote of delegates.

That was followed this week with an ABC interview of the former president, who when asked whether Obama is ready to be president, replied, "You could argue that no one is ever ready to be president."

Advisers to the New York senator say she will almost certainly not ask to have her name placed in formal nomination at the convention to avoid a divisive vote.

Under DNC rules, Clinton must submit a signed, written request to have her name placed in nomination, accompanied by a petition signed by at least 300 delegates. Some Clinton delegates have circulated such petitions, but the effort is meaningless without Clinton's signed request.

Delegates are not formally pledged to any candidate so Clinton does not need to "release" them to Obama. The rules also say delegates may vote for the candidate of their choice whether or not the name of such candidate was placed in nomination.

Despite the seemingly peculiar behavior by the Clintons, Obama surrogates are insisting that all is well between the Clinton and Obama clans.

"Competition can create some challenging feelings, but the Democrats have shown again and again that we get on board and that we work together," said Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, an oft-mentioned potential vice presidential candidate. "The stakes are very, very high. I know that both Senator Clinton and President Clinton will have key roles in the convention. And I expect that, once we're there, that everybody is going to be together in a great way to do a historic job of turning out Democratic voters and also independent and disgruntled Republican voters for Barack Obama in November."

Kaine acknowledged that a "danger" exists in spending too much time recalling the Clinton presidency during the convention, effectively looking backward at Clinton rather forward to Obama, but some celebratory events during the four-night political revelry are meant to demonstrate appreciation for past leaders of the party.

"There's a danger of there being too much of the Clinton family at the convention. It's important that we acknowledge Bill Clinton as a great former president. It's important that Senator Clinton's public service record and her historic candidacy be acknowledged ... and so, sure, look, lionizing and appreciating the great leaders of the party is something that we always do at these conventions. And this one will be no different. But it is all part of a unified effort," Kaine told CBS' "Face the Nation."

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, who is national co-chairman for Obama's campaign, said he doesn't know what final decision has been made on whether a roll call vote will be held for a contested ballot.

"But I can tell you this -- Hillary Clinton and President Clinton are integral parts of our convention in Denver. ... Their people are not only welcome to this convention, we need their help," he told "FOX News Sunday."

"Now, let's understand. We've gone through a bruising primary season between these two excellent candidates, and there are some people still healing from that. I understand it. But in the end, I believe that the Hillary Clinton supporters and Hillary herself are definitely committed to Obama's candidacy," he said, noting that Clinton campaigned last week in Nevada for Obama on the issue of pay equity.

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said he hopes that the convention does not have a roll call vote, but described Hillary Clinton as "a major leader in the party."

"I'm holding a fundraiser -- two fundraisers, actually, for her next week to retire her debt. We as Democrats have to come together. So I don't believe a roll call would be helpful," he said, telling ABC's "This Week" that unifying Clinton and Obama supporters is "important for us to be strong against Senator McCain, who will be a formidable opponent."

Obama is vacationing in Hawaii this week, but his campaign announced the convention schedule Sunday, putting Clinton in a primetime speaking spot on Tuesday night, the 88th anniversary of the women's right to vote.

The campaign said Obama's wife Michelle is slated to headline the opening night on Aug. 25, while the yet-to-be-named vice presidential pick will speak on the third. Democratic officials say Bill Clinton is also scheduled to speak that night, but only the headliners were in Sunday's official announcement.

Obama told reporters Thursday he thought the negotiations with Clinton aides had gone "seamlessly," but he also rejected the notion that there might be a need for emotional release on the part of some Democrats.

"I don't think we're looking for catharsis," said Obama. "I think what we're looking for is energy and excitement."