CHARLESTON, West Virginia (CNN) — Barack Obama became the latest Democrat to criticize presumptive Republican nominee John McCain Monday for his lack of support for a bi-partisan veterans benefits bill its sponsors have dubbed a "new GI Bill of Rights."

"John McCain is one of the few senators of either party who oppose this bill because he thinks it's too generous," said Obama. "I could not disagree with him more. At a time when the skyrocketing cost of tuition is pricing thousands of Americans out of a college education, we should be doing everything we can to give the men and women who have risked their lives for this country the chance to pursue their American Dream."

In a statement, McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds called it "absurd" for Obama to question McCain’s commitment to America’s veterans "when Obama himself voted against funding our nation’s veterans, and troops in the field during a time of war."

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Sen. Barack Obama speaks to reporters in Bend, Oregon, Saturday.

BEND, Oregon (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama said Saturday that if he were to become the Democratic nominee, holding joint town hall-style campaign events with Republican Sen. John McCain would be a "great idea."

"Obviously, we would have to think through the logistics on that," Obama continued. "But … if I have the opportunity to debate substantive issues before the voters with John McCain, that's something that I am going to welcome."

Recently, advisors to the all-but-certain GOP nominee have said the Arizona senator is open to the idea, and his campaign has touted the fact that he and Democrat Bill Bradley held joint campaign events when the two ran for the presidential nomination in 1999.

“John McCain has repeatedly encouraged these types of appearances with his opponents in the past," McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said in a statement.

"But in order to extend all due respect to Sen. Clinton, we will look forward to welcoming the arrangements when the Democrats have actually chosen their nominee," Bounds added.

WOODBURN, Oregon (CNN) - Asked Friday if he might consider helping Hillary Clinton raise money to relieve some of her campaign debt, Barack Obama said Friday that he has not yet talked to his staff about the possibility, but added he thinks any of the also-rans for the Democratic nomination would be in a "strong position" to help the eventual nominee.

Pressed by reporters, the Illinois senator continued, "Obviously I'd want to have a broad range discussion with Sen. Clinton about how I could make her feel good about the process and have her on the team moving forward."

"But as I said, it's premature right now. She's still actively running, and we've still got business to do here in Oregon and other states."

Obama's comments came at a media availability at a taco restaurant in Woodburn, Oregon — his first gaggle with press since the Indiana and North Carolina primaries.

Barack Obama targeted McCain Friday.

BEAVERTON, Oregon (CNN) – What just a week ago was a joint attack on Hillary Clinton and John McCain over the proposed gas tax holiday is now just an attack on McCain — in fact, nowhere in his opening words did Barack Obama utter the word "Clinton."

"McCain," on the other hand, was tossed out nine times in the prepared comments.

The Illinois senator called the presumptive Republican nominee "dead wrong" when it comes to comments he made about the economy under the Bush administration, and he even took a swipe at McCain's healthcare plan — an issue that has not traditionally been used as a means to contrast himself from the Arizona senator.

"John McCain wants to continue a George Bush approach that only takes care of the healthy and the wealthy," Obama said.

During a question-and-answer session, however, Obama was asked what he thought about the idea of picking Clinton as his running mate. The White House hopeful repeated his standard response: that he has "not won this nomination yet" and that the two Democrats are still "actively running."

"She is very smart, and so I think she would be on anyone's…short list of vice presidential candidates," Obama said. "But beyond that I don't want to offer an opinion."

Obama takes a breather on board the campaign plane.

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN WASHINGTON, DC AND PORTLAND, OREGON (CNN) – What's the best way to kill time on a five-hour flight? If you ask Barack Obama, he might suggest you play the game 'Taboo.'

The popular word game has recently become a staple among the traveling press corps as a way to pass time, and Thursday night's cross-country flight proved to be too much for the Illinois senator, as well—he came back for press vs. campaign staff match-up just a short while after takeoff.

In 'Taboo,' players — six on each team in this case — shouting clues at teammates in the hopes they'll quickly guess the word printed on a card.

The White House hopeful downplayed any expectations people may have had of his skills by repeating that he was going up against "wordsmiths" who have the kind of vocabularies that would, he said, give them an edge.

So it began — but not without the use of a few campaign-related clues.

Take the card with "California" printed on it, for example. To elicit that specific word as a response from his team, one reporter said it was "where Sen. Obama said his 'bitter' comments." Sen. Obama, meanwhile, stood just inches away. He laughed and told the group he came back to get away from politics.

The central rule of the game is that players are given a list of words or phrases they aren't allowed to use as clues — if someone on the opposing team notices this rule broken, he or she uses a battery powered alarm, and the opposing team gets the point.

When it was his moment to dish out the hints, a competitive Obama turned to one reporter and jokingly advised that they not "buzz" him because if they did he would limit their access on the trail.

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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (CNN) Stepping on to the tarmac in Indianapolis, Indiana, for a day of campaigning together, Barack Obama, wife Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia, will host a series of events together Saturday– including a picnic gathering in Noblesville and an ice cream social at a roller skating rink in Lafayette.

They'll also make a stop at a house built by Sen. Obama's great great great grandfather in Kempton.

Listen to the Obama's remarks Wednesday.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (CNN) –- Democrat Barack Obama's wife Michelle chose silence Wednesday when the couple were asked about recent comments made by their former pastor, and the harsh words Sen. Obama had for him Tuesday.

In a question-and-answer session with voters, the two were asked what kind of toll it takes on them to have to turn their backs on someone who had been good to them in the past.

Sen. Obama responded first, saying he "made a statement yesterday that was hard to make."

"What we want to do now though is to make sure that this doesn’t continue to be a perpetual distraction," he said.

Then he turned to his other half.

"Michelle, do you have anything to add to that?" After a brief hesitation he said, "You do, but…" He stopped and smiled as she shook her head.

The audience laughed.

"Remember, there are a lot of reporters around," he said, joining in the laughter.

Watch Michelle Obama speak out tonight in an interview with CNN's Suzanne Malveaux at 8:20 p.m. ET, with an extended version airing at on AC 360 at 10 p.m. ET

WILMINGTON, North Carolina (CNN) – It's official: Barack Obama has offered the vice presidency to an 82-year-old woman.

At a town hall meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina, Monday supporter Jean Weiss stood up to ask a question and began by telling the Illinois senator that he's "captured her heart" with his foreign policy stands.

"When you said 'yes I will sit down with all my enemies, we're gonna sit around the table, we're gonna work this thing out,'" Weiss said, "sir, that was not naiveté—that was wisdom."

She then moved on to a question about water supply. "Before I answer the question," Obama said, "I just want to know–will you be my running mate?"

The crowd erupted in applause, and Weiss ran up to the stage and gave him a hug.

"That’s my running mate there," Obama said as she trotted back to her seat, her arms in the air. "She is 82 years old. She's got some fire!"

Weiss wasn't done, though, until she offered some advice on how to handle his rival Hillary Clinton.

"Don't hit on Hillary," she said. "Bring us all back. Let her do that stuff. Leave her alone, you don't need to do that. You are higher than that. Bring us up higher than that."

Obama held a press conference with reporters Wednesday.

NEW ALBANY, Indiana (CNN) – Facing reporters for the first time since his loss in the Pennsylvania primary, Democrat Barack Obama said he "doesn't really understand" Hillary Clinton's attack line that he "can't stand the heat."

"This is sort of the kitchen sink strategy, and the argument about not being able to stand the heat — that I don't really understand," Obama said, responding to a question on recent attacks aimed at him.

He went on to turn the argument on them.

"Nobody has complained more about the press, about questions at debates, about being mistreated than Sen. Clinton has, or President Clinton," he said.

"We have been pretty tame in terms of taking our shots and just rolling with them."

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (CNN) – As the Obama campaign prepared to leave Pennsylvania behind, Obama Communications Director Robert Gibbs and Strategist David Axelrod showed up for the journey sporting twin T-shirts that said in large letters: "Stop the Drama, Vote Obama."

The shorts were not exactly campaign-sanctioned items of apparel — but typical of merchandise being sold all over Philadelphia Tuesday.

It's been a phrase that's been around a while, and even showed up in a Chicago press conference a few weeks ago in slightly mutated form when Obama supporter Gen. Merrill McPeak called him "No Drama Obama."

Former president Jimmy Carter addressed the media in Jerusalem.

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) — Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama told reporters that it was a “bad idea” for former President Jimmy Carter to meet with exiled militant Hamas leader Khalid Meshaal “without [Hamas] having recognized Israel or renounced terrorism or acknowledged previous agreements.”

“What we're seeing now is that even as President Carter suggests there is a breakthrough, you had some of the same old rhetoric coming out of Hamas representatives with regard to Israel,” Obama said during a stop at a Pittsburgh diner, referencing a statement made Monday by Meshaal that Hamas would not in fact recognize Israel.

“If we are clear about improving the day-to-day lives of Palestinians,” Obama said, “Then I think that will do more than anything to encourage Hamas to renounce violence, rather than simply sitting down with them.”

Obama has said electing McCain would mean a third Bush term.

READING, Pennsylvania (CNN) – Democrat Barack Obama conceded Sunday that all three leading presidential contenders would be better than President Bush — including Republican opponent John McCain.

"Either Democrat would be better than John McCain," he said. "And all three of us would be better than George Bush."

In the past, Obama has equated a McCain presidency to a "third Bush term."

Obama says Clinton’s criticism is off-base.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pennsylvania (CNN) — Defending himself against criticism from Hillary Clinton that he's been "complaining about the hard questions he was asked" during Wednesday's debate, Barack Obama said Friday he's not the one who's been griping.

Upon exiting his plane on the tarmac in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the Illinois senator was asked by a reporter at he thought of Clinton's comments.

"Did you hear me complain?" he responded, adding: "You tell me who's been complaining about the press over the last six months."

Clinton told an interviewer Friday morning that Obama "spent all day (Thursday)" complaining over tough debate queries. "Being asked tough questions in a debate is nothing like the pressures you face inside the White House," she said.

At a previous debate in Ohio, Clinton had criticized the moderators for always asking her the first question and for appearing to favor Obama.

"Maybe we should ask Barack if he's comfortable and needs another pillow," she added then.

ERIE, Pennsylvania (CNN) -– In what seems to be a continuing battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton over who is more "in touch" with the average American, the Illinois senator made a stop outside a Pennsylvania beer distributing company Friday and tried to made clear his fondness for the fermented alcoholic beverage.

"We like beer," Obama told a group that had gathered outside, according to a media pool report.

Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey was in tow, as well. The two of them had just left a tour of the Erie Bolt Company, and noticed a crowd of about 30 people congregating in front of the Erie Beer Company.

"The steel was interesting, but beer!" Obama exclaimed.

He continued, asking the group, "What's selling best right now?"

"Bud Light!" most people responded.

The two men did not sample any brews on this visit.

On Monday, the Illinois senator mocked Clinton for taking a shot of whiskey in front of TV cameras. But it's not that Obama hasn't made attempts to connect with voters in a bar, as well — On a bus tour stop on March 28, Obama had a few sips of beer with Casey in front of the press. He did not finish the beer.

GREENVILLE, North Carolina (CNN) – Barack Obama taped an interview with Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's 'Colbert Report' Thursday early evening to air later that night.

Obama will participated in the interview with Colbert via satellite after his event in Greenville, North Carolina.

Also set to appear on Thursday's program: Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

RALEIGH, North Carolina (CNN) -– Barack Obama said Thursday that the North Carolina primary could be decisive.

"If we can win in North Carolina, I think we can wrap up this nomination," Obama told an overflow crowd of supporters outside his event in Raleigh. "And if we can win this nomination I think we can beat John McCain."

"I think everybody understands how important this election is," he continued. "North Carolina is going to be critically important."

Listen to Obama’s remarks on Clinton Thursday.

RALEIGH, North Carolina (CNN)-–Democrat Barack Obama said Thursday that rival Hillary Clinton was "in her element" at Wednesday night's debate, telling a North Carolina crowd she "took every opportunity to get a dig in."

He used his hands to motion brushing his shoulders off. "That's her right to kind of twist the knife in a little bit," he said, before adding that he understands why she's using what he calls the tactics of the GOP.

"That’s the lesson that she learned when the Republicans were doing that same thing to her back in the 1990s. …So, I understand it," Obama continued.

"When you're running for the presidency then you’ve gotta expect it and you know you’ve just gotta kinda let it—" He paused, brushing his shoulders off with his hands before doing the same to his knees and pant legs.

"You know, it's what you gotta do," he said, to wild cheers from the Raleigh audience.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) – Barack Obama said rival Hillary Clinton must feel like she's "doing him a favor" by attacking him the way she has been in recent weeks because, according to Obama, it will only make him stronger in a general election against Republican John McCain.

"I have tried to figure out how to show restraint and make sure that during this primary contest we're not damaging each other so badly that its hard for us to run in November," Obama said at The Associated Press annual conference.

"Sen. Clinton may not feel that she can afford to be as constrained," he said, "but I’m sure that Sen. Clinton feels like she's doing me a favor because she's been deploying most of the arguments the Republican Party will be using against me in November and so it's toughening me up. I'm getting run through the paces here."

Obama's comments came in response to a question on whether he felt Clinton should drop out. He deflected by saying he suspects Clinton will have her own answer for that when she addresses the same group on Tuesday.

The Illinois senator also included in his response a backhanded compliment, calling Clinton "unique" for having raised $35 million and remaining in the race all while "sustaining 11 straight losses."

Watch part of Sen. Obama's speech Monday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) –- Democrat Barack Obama continued to tweak his explanation of what some in the media are now referring to as "bitter-gate" by saying he now feels his comments have served as a "distraction."

"I regret some of the words I chose," Obama said Monday at The Associated Press annual conference in Washington, D.C., "partly because the way that these remarks have been interpreted have offended some people and partly because they have served as one more distraction from the critical debate that we must have in this election season."

At a closed door fundraiser just over a week ago, the Illinois senator referred to some small-town Pennsylvanians as "bitter" people who "cling to guns and religion."

At the top of his remarks to the crowd, which included a significant number of journalists, Obama made an attempt to turn what he calls his badly-chosen words into a joke.

"I know I kept a lot of you guys busy this weekend with the comments I made last week. Some of you might even be a little bitter about that," he said to soft laughter.

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