WASHINGTON  -  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Thursday that Republican rival John McCain tried to smear him and was ``losing his bearings'' with the suggestion that Hamas preferred Obama for president.

``This is offensive and I think it's disappointing, because John McCain always says, well, I'm not going to run that kind of politics and that engages in that kind of smear I think is unfortunate, particularly since my policy toward Hamas has been no different than his,'' Obama said in an interview with CNN Thursday.

The Illinois senator added: ``For him to toss out comments like that I think is an example of him losing his bearings as he pursues this nomination. We don't need name-calling in this debate.''

McCain made his comment about the Palestinian organization that the United States has labeled a terrorist group during a conference call with conservative bloggers last month.

``I think it's very clear who Hamas wants to be the next president,'' the GOP nominee-in-waiting said. ``If Senator Obama is favored by Hamas, I think people can make judgments accordingly.''

(AP)