Democrat Barack Obama (web|news|bio) said rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton (web|news|bio) and John McCain (web|news|bio) are calling for a holiday on collecting the federal gas tax "to get them through an election" and not to help struggling consumers a week before crucial primaries next Tuesday. "The easiest thing in the world for a politician to do is tell you exactly what you want to hear," said Obama, at a campaign rally before more than 2,000 cheering backers. In his comments, Obama was continuing a running dispute over whether ending collection of the gas tax is the quickest and best way to help consumers. Leading in delegates and the popular vote, Obama in recent days has focused on McCain, but he broadened that criticism Tuesday to lump Democrat Clinton together with the certain Republican nominee.

"Now the two Washington candidates in the race have decided to do something different," said Obama. "John McCain started it, he made the proposal, and then Hillary Clinton said 'me too.'"

Both Clinton and McCain have criticized Obama, arguing he is insensitive to the needs of working families. Obama pushed back against both, arguing they are simply following the tradition of finding a gimmick to take to voters.

"That's what Senator Clinton and Senator McCain are proposing, $25 or $30, or half a tank of gas," said Obama. "We don't know that the oil companies will actually pass on the saving."

The plan would suspend collecting the 18.4 cent federal gas tax 24.4 cent diesel tax for the summer.

He said drying up gas tax collections would batter highway construction, costing North Carolina up to 7,000 jobs, while saving consumers little.

"We're arguing over a gimmick that would save you half a tank of gas over the course of the entire summer so that everyone in Washington can pat themselves on the back and say they did something," said Obama.

"Well, let me tell you, this isn't an idea designed to get you through the summer, it's designed to get them through an election," said Obama. He said his call for middle-class tax cuts would be far more beneficial than suspending gas tax collections.

Obama and Clinton both opened their campaign day in North Carolina, which in a week joins Indiana in the next round of primaries in the historic contest for the Democratic presidential nomination. Clinton toured a research facility, and collected the prized endorsement of Gov. Mike Easley.

"It's time for somebody to be in the White House who understands the challenges we face in this country," said Easley, in announcing his backing of Clinton. She then promptly headed for a string of events in Indiana.

"The governor and I have something in common - we think results matter," said Clinton.

Easley is popular with white, working-class voters that have formed the base for Clinton's success in recent primaries.

While Obama is favored in North Carolina, the race in Indiana is very tight, and Obama was heading there Wednesday.

Obama collected endorsements of his own during the day: In Kentucky, Rep. Ben Chandler, son of former Gov. A.B. "Happy" Chandler, gave Obama his backing ahead of that state's May 20 primary, and in Iowa, Democratic National Committee member Richard Machacek - a supporter of former Sen. John Edwards before he dropped out of the presidential race - switched his support to Obama.

During his town hall-style meeting, Obama got a question from a woman who talked about a working mother struggling on a minimum-wage job, but also about how remarks from Obama's former pastor had upset her.

"This has diverted attention from the first story that you told, it's that first story that this election is all about," said Obama.

Interest in the two primaries next week has been high. Officials in Indiana said nearly 90,000 people have cast early ballots, far outpacing absentee turnout in 2004.

At stake Tuesday are 115 delegates in North Carolina, and 72 in Indiana.

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Beth Fouhy reported from Raleigh, N.C.

Written By MIKE GLOVER and BETH FOUHY

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