WASHINGTON, June 4: Senator Barack Obama faces immense pressure from groups within his Democratic Party to pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate after he won enough delegates to clinch his party’s nomination for the 2008 presidential election.

The two had their first encounter at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington on Wednesday, praised each other, but did not say a word about who will be the vice presidential candidate.

On Tuesday evening, Ms Clinton hinted that she was “open to” being Mr Obama’s running mate, but has not conceded her defeat yet.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, however, are pushing Mr Obama to accept Ms Clinton as his vice presidential nominee. But an influential Democrat — former president and Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter — urged Mr Obama not to do so.

At the AIPAC meeting, Mr Obama made sure to praise Ms Clinton, calling her an “extraordinary candidate, an extraordinary public servant,” and “a true friend of Israel”.

“I’m very proud to have competed against her,” he said.

Senator Clinton got a standing ovation before she started her speech. She has a longer, stronger relationship with the powerful committee than Mr Obama and she used it to vouch for Mr Obama as a strong supporter of Israel.

“And let me be very clear. I know that Senator Obama will be a good friend to Israel,” she said.

On Tuesday evening, Mr Obama indicated that Ms Clinton will have a role in his administration, if he is elected.

“You can rest assured that when we finally win the battle for universal healthcare in this country — and we will win that fight — she will be central to that victory,” he declared.

Mr Obama and Ms Clinton talked early on Wednesday on phone. He congratulated her and renewed his offer to “sit down when it makes sense for you”, said his spokesman Robert Gibbs. Ms Clinton responded positively, Mr Gibbs said, but there were no immediate plans to meet on Wednesday.