Obama calls for end to 'tit-for-tat' politics

Takes on Cheney after donor fight with Clinton

The Obama and Clinton campaigns fired off dueling news releases this week over a top Hollywood donor who was a supporter of Bill Clinton but is backing Obama in this race.

The Clinton campaign demanded that Obama return DreamWorks studio co-founder David Geffen's money after Geffen criticized the Clintons as dishonest. Obama declined, and his spokesman criticized Clinton for accepting the support of a South Carolina lawmaker who said Obama can't win because he's black.

Obama told donors at a Houston fund-raiser Thursday that the nation will stay at a standstill ''if we continue to engage in small and divisive politics and tit-for-tat.''

In an interview in Friday's New York Times, Obama said he didn't know beforehand about the statement put out by his campaign responding to the demand by Clinton's camp. Obama told the Times he had been getting a haircut and taking his daughters to school. He said he told aides he wanted to stay above the fray, the Times reported.

Friday, on a campaign stop in Austin, Texas, Obama turned his attention toward Vice President Dick Cheney.

Obama ridiculed Cheney for saying Britain's decision to pull troops from Iraq is a good sign that fits with the strategy for stabilizing the country.

Obama said British Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision to withdraw 1,600 troops is a recognition that Iraq's problems can't be solved militarily.

''Now if Tony Blair can understand that, then why can't George Bush and Dick Cheney understand that?'' Obama asked.

The Cheney camp had no comment. AP