Camps trade barbs on race

WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- Sen. John McCain's U.S. presidential campaign officials cried foul when Barack Obama's camp seemingly implied the Republican party would make race an issue.

During a campaign stop, Obama, the likely Democratic candidate, said attacks on him were trying to "make you scared of me," ABC news reported Thursday.

"You know (by saying) he's not patriotic enough. He's got a funny name. You know, he doesn't look like all of those other presidents on the dollar bills," Obama said.

The comments were "a typically superfluous response from Barack Obama," McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds said. "Like most celebrities, he reacts to fair criticism with a mix of fussiness and hysteria."

The Obama campaign later denied the Illinois senator was referring to the McCain campaign, saying it meant opponents generally and right-wing commentators specifically.