Sen. Dodd endorses Obama

CLEVELAND — Sen. Christopher Dodd endorsed one-time presidential rival Barack Obama on Tuesday and said it is time for Democrats to join forces to defeat the Republicans in the fall campaign.

"I don't want a campaign that is divisive here, and there's a danger in that," Dodd said, although he denied he was nudging Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to end her candidacy.

He said Obama "has been poked and prodded, analyzed and criticized, called too green, too trusting and for all of that has already won" more than half the states and millions of votes.

McCain apologizes for remarks

CINCINNATI — A speaker introducing Republican presidential candidate John McCain at a rally here Tuesday ridiculed Democratic contender Barack Obama for his intention to meet with "world leaders who want to kill us" and pointedly referred to the Illinois senator as "Barack Hussein Obama."

Local conservative-radio host Bill Cunningham went on to describe Obama as "a hack Chicago-, Daley-style politician."

Speaking to reporters later, McCain apologized and took "full responsibility."

"Any offense that was inflicted, I apologize for," McCain said, adding that he was outside the building when Cunningham spoke. "Whatever suggestion was made that was in any way disparaging to the integrity, character, honesty of either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton was wrong, and I condemn it."

Asked whether Obama's middle name was an appropriate topic for discussion during the campaign, McCain said: "No. It is not."

Seattle Times news services