US elections Barack bites back at “terrorist” comments 06/10/08 07:56 CET

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama claimed the Republicans are out of touch and more interested in a dirty tricks campaign.

Obama hit out after Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin accused him of hanging round with terrorists.

‘‘Senator McCain and his operatives are gambling that they can distract you with smears rather than talk to you about substance,’‘ said Barack Obama. ‘‘They’d rather tear our campaign down, than lift this country up. That’s what you do when you’re out of touch, out of ideas, and running out of time, he said.

Palin has defended her remarks, in which she accused Obama of ‘palling round’ with William Ayers, a founder member of the anti-Vietnam militant group, ‘Weather Underground’. But some analysts have criticised Palin’s comments.

David Yespin, political correspondent said: ‘‘It’s irrelevant to people in mainstream middle America. You know, William Ayers, what do they care about that, how is that going to put gas in the tank or get somebody a job.’‘

With the Republicans trailing in the opinion polls, John McCain will be looking to make the most of the second face to face TV debate on Tuesday.