Rivals keep up gas-tax sparring

INDIANAPOLIS - Sen. Barack Obama said yesterday that a summertime suspension of the federal gasoline tax could cost 6,000 jobs in next week's primary state of Indiana, and he accused Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain of "reading from the same political playbook" by endorsing it.

"At best, this is a plan that would save you pennies a day for the summer months - that is, unless gas prices are raised to fill in the gap, which is just what happened in Illinois when we tried this a few years ago," Obama said.

"Meanwhile, unless you can magically impose a windfall-profits tax on oil companies overnight to pay for the holiday, it could imperil federal highway funding and cost Indiana more than 6,000 jobs," Obama said.

Clinton reiterated her support for the gas-tax suspension while speaking at a tractor dealership in Kinston, N.C. She plans to introduce legislation with Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) to levy a windfall-profits tax on oil companies to fund the tax suspension.

- AP

HAGATNA, Guam - Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama pitched improved health care and economic opportunity as they courted Guam voters from afar for the territory's Democratic presidential caucuses today.

Guam Democrats set up about 20 caucus sites in community centers, schools, an old fire station, and a village gym for a day of decision that usually passes without much notice in Washington, 8,000 miles away.

This time, Obama and Clinton made their case for the territory's four convention delegates at stake today with local advertising and interviews. In their protracted race for the nomination, no contest is being ignored. More than 3,000 island residents were expected to take part.

- AP

DENVER - Sen. John McCain defended himself yesterday against TV ads that say he is advocating a 100-year presence in Iraq.

The ads tie McCain to President Bush and cite McCain's comments that there could be an American military presence in Iraq for 100 years. They are being run by the Democratic National Committee and the liberal group MoveOn.org.

McCain brought up the commercials at a town-hall meeting in Denver, saying they are lies. He says he was clearly referring to a possible peacekeeping force - not a century-long war, as critics imply.

- AP