By Steve Holland
UNION CITY, California (Reuters) - Republican John McCaintook aim at presidential rival Barack Obama's lack of militaryservice on Thursday, drawing a rebuke from the Democraticfront-runner for his "endless diatribes and schoolyard taunts."
McCain's opposition to Senate legislation that would expandeducational benefits for military veterans ignited a heatedcrossfire between the two White House contenders as they gearup for November's presidential election campaign.
McCain, a former Navy pilot and prisoner of war in Vietnam,reacted sharply after Obama criticized him for opposing thelegislation. The Arizona senator did not return to the Senateto vote on the measure, which passed easily.
"I take a backseat to no one in my affection, respect anddevotion to veterans," McCain said. "And I will not accept fromSenator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility toserve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard forthose who did."
Obama, an Illinois senator who did not serve in themilitary, said he was proud to "give our veterans the supportand opportunity they deserve" by voting for the bill. He saidin a statement he was disappointed by McCain's attack.
"These endless diatribes and schoolyard taunts from theMcCain campaign do nothing to advance the debate about whatmatters to the American people," Obama said.
The blistering exchange came as both candidates turn theirattention to a likely match-up in November's presidentialelection. McCain has clinched the Republican nomination, andObama has moved within reach of the Democratic nomination.
Obama's remaining rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York,has promised to stay in the race despite his nearlyunassailable lead in delegates who will select the Democraticnominee at the August convention.
The legislation that sparked the exchange was sponsored byVirginia Democratic Sen. James Webb and Nebraska RepublicanSen. Chuck Hagel, both military veterans. McCain and the Bushadministration said it was so generous it could encourageveterans to leave the military after one term to take advantageof the increased college benefits.
RESPECTS SERVICE
In his Senate speech, Obama said he respected McCain'smilitary service "but I can't understand why he would line upbehind the president in opposition."
McCain, who has stepped up his criticism of Obama but hadnot previously mentioned his lack of military service, saidObama had no right to criticise him on the issue.
"It is typical, but no less offensive, that Senator Obamauses the Senate floor to take cheap shots at an opponent andeasy advantage of an issue he has less than zero understandingof," McCain said.
The exchange came as McCain campaigned in California, wherehe rejected the endorsement of a Texas preacher after thepastor was discovered to have made derogatory comments aboutJews.
"Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeplyoffensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them," McCain saidof the remarks by John Hagee. "I did not know of them beforeReverend Hagee's endorsement, and I feel I must reject hisendorsement as well."
McCain's statement came after The Huffington Post websitereported on a late 1990s sermon Hagee gave in which he quotedfrom the Bible to make the argument that God's will had itsinfluence on Nazism.
"'And they the hunters should hunt them,' that will be theJews. 'From every mountain and from every hill and from out ofthe holes of the rocks.' If that doesn't describe what Hitlerdid in the Holocaust, you can't see that," Hagee had said.
McCain previously had distanced himself from Hagee, founderof Cornerstone Church of San Antonio, Texas, but still acceptedhis endorsement because of Hagee's influence with evangelicalChristians.
McCain, 71, plans to show a small group of reporters hismedical records on Friday before he enjoys the Memorial Dayholiday weekend at his Arizona vacation house with threepotential vice presidential candidates -- Florida Gov. CharlieCrist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former MassachusettsGov. Mitt Romney.
Obama also has begun thinking about his potential vicepresidential choice, asking Jim Johnson, the former chiefexecutive of government mortgage giant Fannie Mae, to begin thesearch, TheAtlantic.com reported.
Johnson performed a similar role for Democratic candidatesJohn Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984.
McCain campaigned on Thursday in California's SiliconValley, attending an economic discussion with California Gov.Arnold Schwarzenegger and local business leaders.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Ferraro; writing by JohnWhitesides; editing by Cynthia Osterman)
(To read more about the U.S. political campaign, visitReuters "Tales from the Trail: 2008" online athttp://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/)
