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WILMINGTON, NC — First she said that if Barack Obama didn’t like the questions he received from debate moderators, she’d debate him Lincoln-Douglas style. Now, Hillary Clinton says she’ll even take the show on the road.

Obama told reporters this week that he’s ruled out another debate before the next round of primaries, moderators or no moderators — saying “Rather than being in a studio, I want to make sure that we’re reaching out to folks where they live.”

Senator Clinton’s response? “We could even do it on the back of a flatbed truck, doesn’t even have to be in some fancy studio somewhere,” she told the cheering crowd at an outdoor rally in the shadows of the USS North Carolina.

Clinton said she was “very, very regretful” that Obama would not agree to a new debate in the Tar Heel state . “He turned down the debate that I agreed to here in North Carolina,” she said. “There were 20,000 people who had already emailed in for tickets. There was that much interest.”

“I know his supporters say well, they didn’t like the debate in Philadelphia. The questions were kind of mean and they were sort of tough. You know, I’ve gotta say, tough questions in a debate is nothing like the tough decisions you’ve got to make in the White House. And I think that this state deserves a debate.”

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The Democratic National Committee continues to use McCain’s ‘100 years in Iraq’ comments in it’s latest TV ad, as part it’s ongoing attempt to cast a potential McCain administration as third Bush term. To hammer home it’s point, McCain’s exchange with a New Hampshire townhall-goer is repeated twice in the ad which also showcases explosions and some of the more grim statistics from Iraq.

The dispute over McCain’s 100 years exchange has been ongoing for nearly five months: McCain is talking about a 100 year-plus peacetime troop presence while Democrats are construing the remarks to argue that the presumptive Republican nominee is in favor of 100 years of war. Since a number of media outlets called the Democrats out on distorting McCain’s words, Sens. Clinton, Obama and the DNC have backtracked a bit from much-criticized early language and now stick to stating that McCain endorses a 100-year occupation of Iraq (closer to the truth but still not completely accurate).

In this ad, the DNC takes the simple approach and tries the McCain’s words speak for themselves (albeit without the full context). Of course, the RNC was quick to put a statement Sunday calling the ad a “distortion.”

“Over the course of the next six months, we expect the DNC to wage a respectful and honest campaign, which means adhering to the law. Howard Dean and the DNC should immediately cease and desist from airing these advertisements. And if the DNC fails to act, both Senators Clinton and Obama should immediately call on them to do so,” the statement read.

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Miami, FL — Sen. John McCain continues to ride a very thin line on the Jeremiah Wright controversy, reiterating today that while he will not make an issue of Barack Obama’s pastor, he will not be surprised if others do.

“I believe that Senator Obama does not share those views. But Senator Obama himself says it’s a legitimate political issue so I would imagine that many other people would share that view and it will be in the arena,” McCain said during a Miami-area media availability, alluding to comments Obama made during his Fox News Sunday interview today. The Illinois Democrat told FNS that “the fact that he is my former pastor I think makes it a legitimate political issue.”

McCain seized on those comments during his response today to questions about the North Carolina Republican Party’s decision to air an attack ad using controversial Wright sermons despite his opposition. McCain said he still disagrees with the ad but he does not believe the state party should face any repercussions, he no longer wishes “to be the referee” in the dispute and is ready to “move on to the major challenges of this country.”

The Wright-related remarks also came during an availability in which McCain lit up Obama as “totally insensitive” to poor people because of his gas tax holiday opposition, “out of touch” on the economy, as well as having “very little, if any, experience or knowledge” about the security concerns of Israel and the situation in the Middle East.

During his first response, McCain got in a three-for; hitting Obama on his infamous “bitter” remarks, pointing out offensive Wright comments and sending the message that his Democratic rival opened the door a bit on Wright.

“I’ve stated my position very clearly that I don’t like the ad. I was interested that this morning Senator Obama said it was a legitimate political issue. If he believes that, then it will probably be a political issue. I saw yesterday some additional comments that have been revealed by Pastor Wright, one of them comparing the United States Marine Corps with Roman Legionnaires who were responsible for the death of our Savior, I mean being involved in that. It’s beyond belief. And then of course saying that Al Qaeda and the American flag were the same flags. So I can understand, I can understand why people are upset about this. I can understand why Americans, when viewing these kinds of comments, are angry and upset. Just like they view Senator Obama’s statements about why people turn to their faith and their values. He believes that it’s out of economic concerns. We all know it’s out of a fundamental belief, a fundamental faith in this country and its values and its principles. Again, Senator Obama, out of touch. I can’t control, and will not in future, control. I will voice my opinion. And I will continue to say that I think that ad should not be run. But I won’t continue to try to be the referee here.”

For it’s part, the Obama campaign immediately launched into McCain for the comments accusing the Republican of breaking his word on promises to run a respectful campaign.

“By sinking to a level that he specifically said he’d avoid, John McCain has broken his word to the American people and rendered hollow his promise of a respectful campaign,” said Obama campaign Spokesman Hari Sevugan. “With each passing day, John McCain acts more and more like someone who’s spent twenty-six years learning the divisive, distracting tactics of Washington. That’s not the change that the American people are looking for.”

While he danced around on the Wright issue, McCain had no qualms Sunday about attacking Obama on national security and the economy. Some of his greatest hits:

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When asked by reporters in Indianapolis this morning about Senator Clinton’s offer to debate sans moderator, Obama noted he only had nine more days to campaign in Indiana and North Carolina. “Rather than being in a studio, I want to make sure that we’re reaching out to folks where they live, answering their questions and having as many interactions as possible,” he explained.

But don’t rule out a debate after May 6th - “You know, I’m more than happy to consider something after Indiana and North Carolina. At this point, we just don’t have a lot of time,” Obama said.

Barack Obama admitted to voters in Anderson, Indiana, that he won’t be able to bring gas prices down overnight, unlike some politicians who are proposing a federal gas tax holiday. “This is one of John McCain’s latest schemes,” Obama said, saying it would save drivers only $25. “That’s the federal highway fund that we use to build our roads and our bridges, you remember that bridge in Minneapolis? We’re already short on money in terms of investing – and for what – for 25 bucks?”

Gone are the days of $1.50 gas prices, he said, but in order to reduce gas prices, Obama would “go after oil companies for their windfall profits,” investigate price gouging, and increase fuel efficiency standards.

Yesterday the RNC forwarded reporters a statement from Illinois State Senator Matt Murphy, who said that an Illinois state gas tax moratorium “passed in 2000 with Barack Obama’s help.”

Asked yesterday at a press conference in Indianapolis if he’d switched positions, Obama replied, “Well, actually there was a vote in the state senate that I opposed. I voted against a moratorium on the gas tax for the same reason that I don’t think it’s the best approach for us to take right now.”

SOUTH BEND, Ind — Senator Clinton issued her strongest debate challenge yet to Democratic rival Barack Obama, saying that if tough questions from the moderators are what he’s worried about, she’s willing to scrap them and face him one-on-one.

“After the last debate in Philadelphia, Senator Obama’s supporters complained a little bit about the tough questions,” she said to sarcastic cries from the crowd. “Tough questions in the debate are nothing compared to the tough questions you get asked when you’re president and you have to answer them to make tough decisions.”

“So here’s my proposal: I’m offering Senator Obama the chance to debate me one on one, no moderators. Just the two of us, going for 90 minutes, asking and answering questions.”

Clinton recalled the grand tradition of the unmoderated debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in their 1858 Senate race in Illinois, saying “I think that would be good for the Democratic party, it would be good for our democracy, and it would be great for Indiana.”

As she delivered her challenge at home plate of a minor league ballpark, Obama was telling FNC’s Chris Wallace that he would not debate Senator Clinton before the Indiana primary. Clinton aides acknowledge there’s not much chance that these debates will actually take place — but say that with the perfect storm of media pressure and public outcry, Obama might be forced to give in.

Given his performance in the last debate, the Clinton campaign feels that any further meetings just provide her with another chance to cut into his lead and show that she’d make a superior president

UPDATE: Obama Communications Director Robert Gibbs says no dice. It’s a matter of numbers: “We have participated in 21 nationally televised debates, the most in primary history, including four exclusively with Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton refused an earlier invitation that had been accepted to debate in North Carolina. Over the next 10 days, we believe it’s more important to talk directly to the voters of Indiana and North Carolina about fixing our economy, cutting the cost of health care and ending a war in Iraq that never should have been authorized in the first place.”

In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Barack Obama definitively told host Chris Wallace he would not debate Hillary Clinton before the Indiana and North Carolina primaries on May 6th, but insisted he’s not “ducking” a debate with Clinton.

The candidates have met 21 times to debate during the course of this primary contest; the last one in Philadelphia focused heavily on Obama’s campaign gaffes, which prompted him to note the next day during a North Carolina town hall, “It took us 45 minutes before we even started talking about a single issue that matters to the American people.” Obama also said it was typical Washington. “They like stirring up controversy and they like playing gotcha games, and getting us to attack each other. And I have to say Senator Clinton looked in her element,” he said at the time.

Clinton said he was “complaining” - not so, Obama said. “Did you hear me complain?” he asked a reporter looking for a response. “Who’s been complaining about the media for the last six months?”

But Obama never responded to a CBS News offer to debate Clinton again in North Carolina on the 27th. When asked about it by a Raleigh voter, Obama replied, “We’re trying to figure out what our schedule looks like. But, I’ll be honest with you, you know we now had 21…I could deliver Senator Clinton’s lines, she could, I’m sure, deliver mine, so what we’ve got to figure out how we fit in campaigning actively both here in North Carolina and Indiana…we’re just trying to figure what’s the best way to reach as many constituents as possible in a relatively short period of time.”

CBS News has since cancelled the debate, but Senator Clinton has repeatedly challenged Obama to debate prior to the May 6th primaries. In the past, Obama has said the more time he spends with voters, the better they get to know him, and when you’re competing against the “Clinton brand,” that’s important.

Read the Wallace/Obama exchange below the jump.

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It’s become somewhat of a primary day tradition for Barack Obama to play basketball on the campaign trail. He’s taken on staffers, Secret Service agents, troops at Fort Bragg, and even reporters – but, save for the time he played for Real Sports, he’s never played for cameras. Until Indiana – aka the Hoosier state with a May 6th primary election.

Yesterday Barack Obama, played a little half court three-on-three with area students who won the chance to play with the candidate by registering voters - and Alison Bales, a 6’ 7” player for the WNBA. The lanky senator known as “Barry O’Bomber” when he played in high school, kept up with his younger teammates and showed at 46, he’s still got game – although at one point the winded senator joked with medics on hand that they might be needed if he dropped.

Several dozen supporters cheered the T-shirted, gum chewing senator every time he made a good play while his traveling press watched from the far set of bleachers. Obama easily scored four baskets, passed, rebounded, and stole the ball from his opponents a couple of times. He did have two turnovers to help his team to an easy 15-5 victory. If only winning the Democratic nomination were that easy.

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For those wondering - one of his Secret Service agents gave Senator Obama the USMC T-shirt.

FORT WAYNE, Ind — Senator Hillary Clinton took Indiana voters on a biographical tour in downtown Ft Wayne — relating her own middle class midwestern origins in the hopes that middle class midwesterners here might see her as one of their own.

Relating her time as a girl scout, her childhood in public parks and playgrounds, her mother’s difficult upbringing and her father’s small business struggles in suburban Chicago, and her devotion to church and Sunday school, Clinton said Midwestern values are “really at the root of who we are in this country and what makes America so special. We are a compassionate and caring nation, but we also are a country of people who want to go as far as their hard work and their motivation and vision will take them.”

The political point of her autobiographical intro? Clinton told the crowd “we need a president, especially after George Bush, who doesn’t just make speeches about American values, but understands them and lives them and believes them, make sure they are available for everybody.”

“I want you to know. I was raised by parents who said actions speak louder than words. Don’t tell me, show me,” she said. “I want you to know what I will do based on what I have done and what I know we can do together.”

And in a region that prides itself on hard work, Clinton made sure to take an indirect swipe at what she feels is her opponent’s vague ideas on how to change the country. “I believe strongly that we have to change this country, but that’s not just a slogan,” she said. “It’s going to require an enormous amount of hard work. And as [Indiana Senator and Clinton supporter] Evan [Bayh] said, if it was so easy that all we did is show up in Washington and say ‘lets change!’I think Evan and I would have figured that out awhile ago.”

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Little Rock, AK — Despite criticism from his Democratic rival, Sen. McCain defended his campaign’s use of Obama’s endorsement by the Hamas terrorist group for political purposes and attacked him for being “very lacking in experience on national security issues.”

“It is just a fact that apparently the North American spokesperson is endorsing Senator Obama. People can make their own judgment from that,” McCain said at a media availability today, referring to comments made by Ahmed Yousef, a top Hamas adviser

Yousef told WABC Radio on April 13 that, “we like Mr. Obama, and we hope that he will win the election. I do believe he is like John Kennedy, a great man with a great principle.”

McCain was first asked about the endorsement during a conference call with bloggers today where he said,
“I think it is very clear who Hamas wants to be the next President of the United States…if Senator Obama is favored by Hamas, I think people can make judgments accordingly.”

The McCain campaign has previously used the endorsement as part of a fundraising appeal.

Obama has condemned Hamas and never solicited the “endorsement,” and an Obama spokesman today accused McCain for use of “the politics of association and…claims he knows not to be true to advance his campaign.”

“This type of politics of division and distraction, not only lead to a campaign not worthy of the American people, but also has failed to help our families for too long,” added Obama spokesman, Hari Sevugan.

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