Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said today he had nothing to do with, and does not support a comment made by a fellow a Democrat that targeted Republican John McCain's credentials in running for president.

Retired General Wesley Clark said McCain's military experience does not necessarily qualify him to be president.

McCain called the comment a distraction from the real issues.

Barack Obama defined his views on patriotism during a speech in Independence, Missouri.

The Democratic nominee also vowed never to question the patriotism of others during the campaign.

"Those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country, no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary,” said Senator Barack Obama.

The Illinois Senator mentioned McCain by name in an apparent reference to General Wesley Clark.

Over the weekend, the Obama supporter stirred controversy when he said McCain's Vietnam War service did not necessarily qualify him to be commander-in-chief.

Obama praised McCain's service.

"We must always express our profound gratitude for the service of our men and women in uniform. Period. Full stop,” said Obama.

While campaigning in Pennsylvania, the Republican nominee and his staff issued a number of strongly worded responses to Clark's comments.

"I know that General Clark is not an isolated incident but I have no way of knowing how much involvement Senator Obama has in that issue," said Senator John McCain.

While some vets' groups want Clark to apologize for the remarks, McCain says it's up to the American people to decide who should be the next commander-in-chief.

"If that's the kind of campaign Senator Obama and his surrogates and supporters wants to gauge, I understand that,” said McCain.

McCain travels to Indiana tomorrow morning then begins a trade and foreign relations trip to Colombia and Mexico for the remainder of the week.

Obama heads to Ohio for day two of a week-long “Enduring American Values” tour.