PHILADELPHIA (AFP) — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Saturday thanked his Republican rival John McCain for urging supporters to be respectful and stop hurling abuse at Obama at his rallies.
"Now, I want to acknowledge that Senator McCain tried to tone down the rhetoric yesterday in his town hall meeting and I appreciate his reminder that we can disagree while still being respectful of each other," Obama said.
"I have said it before and I'll say it again -- Senator McCain has served this country with honor and he deserves our thanks for that."
Obama said however that the McCain campaign was trying to divert attention from what he said was a "lack of answers" on the economy with "nasty" attacks.
Obama spoke on the first of a blitz of four rallies in Philadelphia on Saturday -- 24 days before the election.
McCain on Friday called on his backers to tone it down, after crowds at his rallies have become increasing inflammatory shouting out "terrorist" and "liar" when Obama is mentioned. At one Florida rally, someone even shouted "kill him."
The US Secret Service said it was investigating the alleged death threat.
"We want to fight, and I will fight, but we will be respectful. I admire Senator Obama and his accomplishments and I will respect him," McCain told a Minnesota rally.
"I want everyone to be respectful and let's make sure we are, because that is the way that politics should be conducted in America," McCain said.
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