Obama focusing on McCain as he passes Clinton in superdelegates

Barack Obama is barely mentioning Hillary Clinton as he campaigns today in Oregon, focusing instead on John

McCain.

The Illinois senator said a contest between himself and the Arizona Republican is going to be about the "very clear choice on policy" -- not who's theoretically more liberal or more conservative.

But Obama also warned that controversial issues, such as McCain's ties to the Keating Five savings and loan scandal are fair game. And he called McCain's proposal for a temporary halt in the federal gasoline tax a pander and a gimmick.

He did not mention that Clinton supports a similar gas tax holiday.

Obama also says he'll soon campaign in Michigan and Florida, two battleground states whose Democratic primaries were essentially nullified by party disputes, angering many voters.

Obama today passed Clinton in the race for superdelegates, making it all the more likely he'll be on the ballot against McCain in November.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)