NEW YORK (Map, News) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Thursday that Republican John McCain was "losing his bearings" for repeatedly suggesting the Islamic terrorist group Hamas preferred Obama for president.

That brought an angry response from McCain's campaign, which accused Obama of trying to make an issue of McCain's age.

Age is a touchy subject for McCain, who turns 72 in August and would be the oldest person to be sworn in as president if elected.

The two senators have focused more intently on one another in recent weeks as Obama has moved closer to becoming the Democratic nominee. Thursday's back and forth between Obama and surrogates for both candidates foreshadowed a likely argument for the fall campaign.

The sparring also comes the same week as Obama's decisive victory in North Carolina's primary, which brought renewed calls for Hillary Rodham Clinton to get out of the race and clear a path for him to claim the Democratic nomination and focus on McCain.

At the root of the dispute is McCain's decision to call attention to a Hamas adviser's apparent affinity for Obama. The adviser, Ahmed Yousef, said in a recent interview: "We like Obama and hope that he will win the election."

McCain used those comments in a fundraising appeal and has cited them in interviews.

Asked about the matter Wednesday during a taping of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," McCain said: "It's indicative of how some of our enemies view America. And I guarantee you, they're not going to endorse me."

In an interview Thursday with CNN, Obama accused McCain of trying to smear him by repeating the comments.

"This is offensive, and I think it's disappointing, because John McCain always says, 'Well, I'm not going to run that kind of politics,'" Obama said. "And then to engage in that kind of smear, I think, is unfortunate, particularly since my policy toward Hamas has been no different than his."

The Illinois senator added: "For him to toss out comments like that, I think, is an example of him losing his bearings as he pursues this nomination. We don't need name-calling in this debate."

Like McCain, Obama criticized former President Carter for recently meeting with Hamas leaders, saying the U.S. must not negotiate with a terrorist group that is intent on Israel's destruction. McCain had called on Obama to repudiate Carter's meeting.

McCain's campaign issued an angry response that accused Obama of trying to divert attention from a legitimate question by raising McCain's age.

"He used the words 'losing his bearings' intentionally, a not-particularly-clever way of raising John McCain's age as an issue," McCain adviser Mark Salter said. "It is more than fair to raise this quote about Senator Obama, because it speaks to the policy implications of his judgment."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton insisted that Obama was not trying to do what McCain's campaign accused him of.

"Clearly, losing one's bearings has no relation to age," he said.

Thus far, Democrats have been careful not to mention McCain's age, at least not directly. The lone exception is Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton who a few weeks ago said the rigors of running the country is too much for guys their age.

"Let me tell you something, it's no old man's job," Murtha, 75, told a union audience.

In response, McCain told CNN: "All I can tell you is that I admire and respect Jack Murtha. Speak for yourself, Jack. I'm doing fine. Thanks."

Comments from Examiner Readers

5:04 PM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008 re: "Obama accuses McCain of 'losing his bearings' with comment"

Examiner Reader said:
4:23 is correct. If you have any cash in investments, take the hit for early withdrawal, and stuff it in your mattress. Once either the Marxist Democrats, or the clueless,angry McCain takes control, our economy will finally be destroyed by these disgraces. At least you'll have something to by government rationed crackers and water with.

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4:03 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 22, 2008 re: "Obama explains comment about McCain"

Examiner Reader said:
Hi! I'm Barak Obama, let me explain once again what I meant when I said something that appeared to be idiotic and brainless...

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4:23 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 1, 2008 re: "Obama: McCain Changed Views on Tax Cuts"

Examiner Reader said:
Clinton & Obama both have shown themselves to be Alinski socialists & frivolous with the truth.... How sad for America. But even worse, Clinton, Obama & McCain are all supportive of illegal immigaration. Were headed for something bad here folks.

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10:20 PM MST on Wed., Mar. 26, 2008 re: "Obama Chides McCain on Economic Approach"

Larry said:
What's Obama's answer? A new tax? Take someone's money and give it to someone else. Now that's what I call a leader. Come up with some real answers, Barry. It's easy to point out fault.

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4:40 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "Obama: McCain Changed Views on Tax Cuts"

Tim said:
Of course Obama changed his view on tax cuts. He is a two faced phoney who will do and say anything to get elected.

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3:44 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 13, 2008 re: "Obama: McCain Changed Views on Tax Cuts"

eyes are watching said:
I have notice more and more in the last week the media using pictures of obama that are pooly lighted or his face is looking down and away or just generaly with not a good expression on his face. But you the media continue to use pictures of clinton standing up in good lighting and smiling. Now if this was only one picture on two I could understand, but to constantly show such a good looking man as obama in such and unflattering way is a direct indictment of the media trying to present him in a bad light, and I for one am sick of all of you all doing this.

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3:24 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 13, 2008 re: "Obama says McCain switched tax views to win Republican votes"

Joshua said:
2:35-The President of the United States is not The Governor of all of the States in the union. He is also not the Mayor of all of the cities in those states. He is Commander in Chief of the U.S. Military, but that only means that he is responsible for making some tough decisions based on information he receives from his most trusted military and intelligence advisers. The Presidency is alot more choose the best option than it is come up with the solution to all our problems all by yourself. I will take good judgement over experience any day of the week. Just curious, you identified yourself as "Teamsters for Clinton" Are you sure you didn't mean to say "Teamsters for Clinton because we think she has the best chance of losing to John McCain?

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2:35 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 13, 2008 re: "Obama: McCain Changed Views on Tax Cuts"

Teamsters for Clinton said:
Senator McCain knows how to run a city, state, and an entire country. Senator McCain has proven his loyalty in representing his country in time of need and war. Senator McCain is the next commander-in-chief.

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4:44 PM MST on Fri., Feb. 1, 2008 re: "Obama Says He'd Be Better Against McCain"

shirley said:
The only experience Obama had before he becaome US Senator was his resume of Illinois Senator, while his friend of 20 years, and supporter, Rezko, was involved in corruption, influence peddling, and demanding kickbacks from companies seeking business from the state,all this under the watchful eyes of Obama while he was senator..

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