Who does he think he is: GOP ads target Obama

Republicans sense opportunity in the battered image of Obama, who many Democrats think is strongest bet

As they promote their candidates and try to pave the way for GOP victories this year, Republicans have begun making their case to voters in advertisements featuring a new star: Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

In North Carolina, a TV ad shows Obama8217;s former pastor making racially charged comments. An Internet ad attacks a Pennsylvania congressman for endorsing Obama8217;s presidential bid. A New Mexico radio ad says Obama disrespects 8220;the American way of life.8221;

In Louisiana, a Republican TV ad attacking Obama8217;s 8220;radical8221; health-care agenda proved so threatening that the House candidate it targeted, Democrat Don Cazayoux, distanced himself from Obama on Thursday, issuing a statement that he 8220;has not endorsed any national politician.8221;

The flurry of attacks underscores how Republicans and their allies are sensing opportunity in the increasingly battered image of Obama, who many Democrats have viewed as their best hope for appealing across ideological lines and helping the party win in conservative areas.

The advertisements also are playing into a debate among Democratic officials about Obama8217;s electability in November, a discussion that gained urgency after his 9-point loss to New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in this week8217;s Pennsylvania primary. That election provided more evidence that the Illinois senator has had trouble winning over senior citizens and working-class white voters, who are seen as important to a Democratic victory this fall.

Now, many Democratic leaders are trying to determine whether they are on the verge of nominating a candidate who, in addition to asking voters to accept him as the first black president, could be vulnerable to being cast as too far out of the mainstream.

Clinton8217;s tumultuous presence on the national stage long has made her a favorite target of Republican attacks. But GOP strategists said the negative six-week campaign in Pennsylvania produced reams of material that, for the first time, laid out for them a clear pathway for attacking Obama this fall.

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8220;Many are wondering: Who does Barack Obama think he is?8221; the ads say. 8220;On second thought, who does Barack Obama think we are?8221;

Some Democratic activists said Thursday that they were worried about Obama8217;s prospects in the general election, wondering if certain working-class white Democratic voters might abandon him for the Republican nominee, particularly in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The GOP attacks come as Clinton8217;s campaign tries to convince Democratic Party insiders that Obama is a riskier bet than the New York senator for winning the White House and helping candidates in local and state races down the ballot.

The strategy is to convince 8220;superdelegates,8221; the party insiders who are expected to cast the decisive votes in the nominating battle, that they should back Clinton 8212; even though Obama is likely to have the most pledged delegates selected by the party8217;s voters in primaries and caucuses.