Washington: Democrat Barack Obama defended his own patriotism and vowed never to use the issue against anyone during the race for the White House, rejecting comments by a retired general and backer about the military record of his opponent, Republican John McCain.

Shortly after, the Obama campaign announced he and former President Bill Clinton had a "terrific conversation" by telephone, breaking an icy silence between two of America s most gifted Democratic politicians.

Obama has been attacked for not wearing an American flag lapel pin and for allegedly failing to place his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance to the flag. He challenged his critic in a forceful speech in the aptly named city of Independence, Missouri, as he kicked of a campaign week that includes the July 4 US holiday celebrating independence from Britain.

Obama, baptized a Christian two decades ago, also has fought persistent Internet rumours that he is Muslim.

"I have found, for the first time, my patriotism challenged that time as a result of my own carelessness, more often as a result of the desire by some to score political point and raise fears about who I am and what I stand for," he said before a crowd of a few hundred people at the Truman Memorial Building in resident Harry Truman s hometown.

Clark, who backed Hillary Rodham Clinton until she dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination, said on CBS television Sunday that McCain's military service and five-years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam did not necessarily qualify the four-term Arizona senator to be commander in chief.

Clark, who sought the Democratic nomination four years ago, now backs Obama.

Source : PTI