At a press conference in Harrisburg, Pa., today, McCain was asked to respond to statements made by retired Gen. Wesley Clark yesterday on CBS's "Face the Nation."

Here are some of Clark's staments, as the AP reported:

"He has been a voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee and he has traveled all over the world, but he hasn't held executive responsibility," Clark said. "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded -- that wasn't a wartime squadron."

Moderator Bob Schieffer, who raised the issue by citing similar remarks Clark has made previously, noted that Obama hadn't had those experiences nor had he ridden in a fighter plane and been shot down. "Well, I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president," Clark replied.

At today's press conference, McCain said Obama did not need to specifically address Clark's statements, but did say:

"I think that that kind of thing is unnecessary. I'm proud of my record of service, and I have plenty of friends and leaders who will attest to that. But the important thing is that if that's the kind of campaign that Senator Obama and his surrogates and supporters want to engage, I understand that, but it doesn't lower a gallon of gas by one penny. ... So I intend, in this campaign, to discuss the challenges we face."

McCain also commented on Obama's patriotism:

"I think Senator Obama is a great American success story. I think his family is. I think he's someone who is admired and respected throughout this country and the world. I think our differences are how we intend to move forward in conducting the affairs of this country. We have very different views and very different positions, and I look forward to ventilating those. But I think all Americans are proud of Senator Obama and what he's been able to accomplish, he and his entire family have been able to accomplish in this nation. And I think it's living proof of some of the greatness of America."

Obama appeared to denounce Clark's statements in his speech in Independence, Mo., today, and his campaign left no questions about Obama's feelings on it with the release of this statement by campaign spokesman Bill Burton:

"As he's said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain's service, and of course he rejects yesterday's statement by General Clark."