Obama raises Howard 'slur' with Rudd

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has told Prime Minister Kevin Rudd he would like to work with Australia on issues such as climate change and China, if he wins the November election.

Senator Obama called Mr Rudd this afternoon for an extended discussion but was not able to attend a face-to-face meeting because he was campaigning in Pennsylvania.

Mr Rudd earlier this morning spoke to his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton and will meet Republican nominee John McCain tomorrow.

Senator Obama is believed to have raised with Mr Rudd comments made by John Howard last year, where the former prime minister said that al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden would be praying for an Obama victory because it would help the militants win in Iraq.

They spent about 25 minutes talking mainly about policy issues.

Senator Obama is understood to have told Mr Rudd about his fond memories of Sydney, where he used to transit through on his way back to the US when he was a child living in Indonesia.

Senator Obama is believed to have expressed a desire to partner with Australia on climate change and China.




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