Camp Obama takes the middle path in a statement responding to McCain’s personal call for a condemnation of Rep. John Lewis’s comments.

While a spokesperson says Obama disagrees with the comparison to George Wallace, the Democrat believes Lewis is justified in condemning recent rhetoric by McCain and Palin.

“Senator Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies. But John Lewis was right to condemn some of the hateful rhetoric that John McCain himself personally rebuked just last night, as well as the baseless and profoundly irresponsible charges from his own running mate that the Democratic nominee for President of the United States ‘pals around with terrorists,’” said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. “As Barack Obama has said himself, the last thing we need from either party is the kind of angry, divisive rhetoric that tears us apart at a time of crisis when we desperately need to come together. That is the kind of campaign Senator Obama will continue to run in the weeks ahead.”

In a rare statement issued in John McCain’s name, the GOP nominee is personally calling for his Democratic rival to condemn Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) for a statement (below) comparing McCain to segregationist presidential candidate George Wallace.

“Congressman John Lewis’ comments represent a character attack against Governor Sarah Palin and me that is shocking and beyond the pale. The notion that legitimate criticism of Senator Obama’s record and positions could be compared to Governor George Wallace, his segregationist policies and the violence he provoked is unacceptable and has no place in this campaign. I am saddened that John Lewis, a man I’ve always admired, would make such a brazen and baseless attack on my character and the character of the thousands of hardworking Americans who come to our events to cheer for the kind of reform that will put America on the right track.

“I call on Senator Obama to immediately and personally repudiate these outrageous and divisive comments that are so clearly designed to shut down debate 24 days before the election. Our country must return to the important debate about the path forward for America.” –Sen. John McCain

Lewis, a former civil rights leader, issued an incendiary statement earlier on Saturday:

“As one who was a victim of violence and hate during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I am deeply disturbed by the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign. What I am seeing today reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.

“During another period, in the not too distant past, there was a governor of the state of Alabama named George Wallace who also became a presidential candidate. George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who only desired to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed one Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama.

“As public figures with the power to influence and persuade, Sen. McCain and Governor Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all. They are playing a very dangerous game that disregards the value of the political process and cheapens our entire democracy. We can do better. The American people deserve better.”

There’s been a lot of talk lately about “tough decisions,” and “uncomfortable conversations” when Hillary Clinton’s name is brought up on Capitol Hill these days.

The latest victim of that apparent agony is Rep. John Lewis, an elder of the civil rights movement, and one of the coveted Super Delegates, who announced today that despite his friendship with Hillary Clinton, he would be backing Barack Obama instead.

His rational echoed that of so many others. He said he was surprised by Obama, by the burst of enthusiasm around his candidacy, that Lewis says is proof that “something is happening in America,” the same line Barack Obama often uses in his victory speeches.

It’s what Sen. Chris Dodd said in announcing his support of Barack Obama yesterday. He seemed unsettled by his decision too, saying he cared deeply about Senator Clinton and the phone call was not easy.

As difficult as it may be for her colleagues, even Hillary Clinton has said it’s not a bad problem to have. Friendships and loyalties have always been casualties of politics. But much like everything else in this business, the pain is usually temporary too.