LOUISVILLE -- Amid a day of ceaseless criticism at the National Rifle Association's Leadership Forum in Louisville, the Kentucky campaign of presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) released a statement particularly focused on comments made by his potential Republican opponent.

"It would be a wonderful thing if we lived in a world where we don't have enemies. But thats not the world we live in. Until Senator Obama understands that reality, the American people have every reason to doubt whether he has the strength, judgement, and determination to keep us safe," said presumptive GOP Presidential nominee and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Today, the Obama campaign responded by saying McCain "traded his principles" by speaking at the NRA meeting.

"Nowhere have working families felt the repercussions of two terms of George W. Bush's failed policies more than here in Kentucky. From health care costs, to grocery bills, to the soaring gas prices at the pump, families are struggling to make ends meet. Unfortunately, instead of offering a new direction, John McCain is merely offering a third George Bush term," said Obama Kentucky Campaign Director Carolyn Tandy, in the statement. "Today, in Louisville, Senator McCain continued a pattern we have seen since he started running for president last year -- trading his principles for the Republican nomination."

"The 2000 version of John McCain stood up to the NRA, saying that they shouldn't play a major policymaking role in the Republican Party. But the 2008 version of McCain is more concerned with playing election-year politics," Tandy continued.

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