Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (web|news|bio) said Thursday that Republican rival John McCain (web|news|bio) tried to smear him and was "losing his bearings" with the suggestion that Hamas preferred Obama for president."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 and that engages in that kind of smear I think is unfortunate, particularly since my policy toward Hamas has been no different than his," Obama said in an interview with CNN Thursday. 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."

McCain made his comment about the Palestinian organization that the United States has labeled a terrorist group during a conference call with conservative bloggers last month.

"I think it's very clear who Hamas wants to be the next president," the GOP nominee-in-waiting said. "If Senator Obama is favored by Hamas, I think people can make judgments accordingly."

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