U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) says he would not rule out a run with another big name in the Democratic party - clearly referring to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.).

Answering questions at a news conference in Chicago, Senator Obama told the Chicago Tribune that he thinks of himself and Clinton as allies.

“I consider Hillary Clinton a friend. I don’t see her as a competitor, potentially, but rather an ally in the process of moving this country forward,” he said.

Mere days after Hillary Clinton announced her presidential exploratory committee with the words “I’m in, and I’m in to win,” debates are being raised about the two leading contenders for the nomination and whether they will be fighting tooth and nail for the Democratic top spot, or the complete opposite - agreeing to run on the same ballot.

Some have theorized that a Clinton-Obama ticket would be the Democrats’ best hope of winning the White House back in 2008. Others believe it could be their undoing.

Regardless, Obama believes that with the Democratic National Convention still over a year away, any such talk is still too speculative at this point.

The senator said he ran into Democratic strategist and Clinton loyalist James Carville at the NFC Championship game, and despite being a little downcast at his beloved Saints’ defeat, the Ragin’ Cajun said the 2008 field is shaping up to be potentially one of the strongest ever.

“There’s no doubt Hillary Clinton will be an extraordinary candidate - as will many of the other people who’ve already announced,” Obama said. “Bill Richardson just announced. He’s got an unbelievable resume and is an extraordinary talent. So there are gonna be some terrific folks for the Democrats to chose from, regardless of what I do.”