Chappaqua's Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) praised Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) Wednesday as a friend to Israel as speculation swirls about an Obama-Clinton ticket.

Obama assured Jewish leaders Wednesday, while speaking at the same event for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, that he will be a steadfast ally to Israel and will not negotiate with terrorist groups. Republicans have attacked him as wanting to do so.

Only hours after securing his party's nomination, Obama used the previously scheduled speech to 7,000 pro-Israel activists to try to ease concerns that some Jewish voters have about him and his stance on Middle East matters. He pointedly criticized Sen. John McCain, his GOP opponent this fall, and rebutted claims that he underestimates the threat that Iran poses and would naively enter into unwise talks with U.S. adversaries.

Obama also praised Clinton, who technically didn't drop out of the race Tuesday at the close of the Democratic primary season.

Meanwhile, more high-profile Democrats are lining up behind Obama for president. Senators Tom Harkin and Ken Salazar have announced their endorsements, along with former Vice President Walter Mondale.

The endorsements come as McCain challenges Obama to 10 town hall meetings with voters between now and the Democratic National Convention in August.

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