The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Reading

Democrat Barack Obama, who often argues that John McCain is the same as President Bush, said Sunday that the Republican presidential candidate would be an improvement over Bush's eight-year reign. "You have a real choice in this election. Either Democrat would be better than John McCain. And all three of us would be better than George Bush," Obama said. "But what you have to ask yourself is, who has the chance to actually, really change things in a fundamental way?" Obama asked as he wrapped up a town-hall style event at Reading High School in central Pennsylvania. The Illinois senator was trying to argue that he is the stronger choice over Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton in Tuesday's primary in Pennsylvania. But Obama ended up mixing in praise for McCain at the same time - and giving Clinton an opening to criticize. "We need a nominee who will take on John McCain, not cheer on John McCain," the New York senator said in Johnstown. She said the Arizona senator would follow "the same failed policies that have been so wrong for our country the last seven years."