When tire inflation becomes an issue

The latest symbol John McCain is using to needle Barack Obama is a tire pressure gauge.

Obama told voters in Missouri last week that one way to conserve energy is "making sure your tires are properly inflated."

It's a "simple thing, but we could save all the oil that they’re talking about getting off drilling, if everybody was just inflating their tires and getting regular tune-ups. You could actually save just as much."

Today, McCain's campaign offered "Obama Energy Plan" tire gauges to supporters for a donation of $25 or more, and the Republican National Committee also gave tire gauges to newsrooms in Washington "in celebration" of Obama's birthday.

Obama's campaign responded by noting that the Bush administration's energy department, Republican Governors Charlie Crist of Florida and Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, and even NASCAR have also advised proper tire inflation.

"Senator McCain and his Republican allies just can’t help themselves -- given the choice between offering real solutions or engaging in more negative attacks, they choose the low road every time. The latest? Trying to raise money and distract voters by criticizing Senator Obama’s comments that keeping your tires properly inflated saves energy. As Senator McCain knows, Barack Obama has a comprehensive plan to provide real relief to Americans struggling with soaring prices and make the long-term investments we need to break our addiction to oil," Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said in a statement.

Obama also launched a TV ad today that says McCain is playing the "same old" politics instead of offering real solutions to the energy crisis.