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Obama promises mayors aid for U.S. cities

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, here to tell U.S. mayors that he wants to make cities the backbone of regional economic growth and innovation, ended up igniting a war of words with Republican John McCain's campaign over flooding in Iowa.

During remarks to the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting today, Obama noted that McCain had recently visited flood-devastated Iowa.

"I'm sure they appreciated the sentiment, but they probably would have appreciated it more if Sen. McCain hadn't voted against funding for levees and flood-control programs, which he seems to consider pork," Obama told the mayors.

An Obama spokeswoman said the remark was a reference to McCain's opposition to a $23 billion water resources bill, which also included $2billion for Everglades restoration. McCain has said the bill had worthwhile elements, but was loaded with wasteful projects.

McCain's campaign accused Obama of voting against an amendment by McCain and Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin that would have given levees a higher priority than other "pork-barrel" projects.