Washington, Dec 17 : Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton has told her supporters not to involve her in their efforts to stop Caroline Kennedy's path to the US Senate.

The move clears a major obstacle between Kennedy and the seat; Politico quoted a person familiar with replacement discussions, as saying.

Prominent Clinton supporters, including Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N. Y.), union leader Stuart Applebaum and fundraiser Robert Zimmerman, recently expressed skepticism about the choice, suggesting that Clinton's supporters would see naming Kennedy - a crucial Obama backer - as a slight.

All three "were told that their comments weren't appreciated, and that if they have a candidate they prefer that is motivating their comments and actions, they need to make that crystal clear so that nobody thinks we're behind it," said a person close to the replacement talks.

Clinton is focused on her transition to the State Department, people close to her say, and being seen as meddling in the Senate choice would likely make her more enemies than friends, Politico reported.

"Clinton completely respects the privacy of his process so will not be commenting on it or any individual candidate, nor does any third party speak on her behalf," said her spokesman, Philippe Reines.

Meanwhile, Applebaum emailed that he hasn't been directly contacted by Clinton's camp.

He also noted that he (and Zimmerman) didn't directly link their views to their support for Clinton -- though they were widely interpreted that way. (ANI)