Just days ahead of the Democratic presidential primary in South Carolina, Barack Obama says the Clinton campaign is distorting his record

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama defended the fierce tone of his recent exchanges with rival Hillary Clinton, and said he was forced to fight back against her campaign's disregard for the truth. Obama has complained specifically about comments from Bill Clinton, including the former President's charge that Obama's opposition to the Iraq war was "a fairy tale."

Let me sort of dispose of the, the whole issue of President Clinton, I've said this repeatedly, that, he is entirely justified in wanting to promote his wife's candidacy. I have no problem with that whatsoever, you know, he can be as vigorous an advocate on behalf of her, uh, as he would like, the only thing I've been concerned about is when he makes misstatements about my record.

The Clinton campaign says that it is Obama who's been on the attack, it's been a week of public spats between the two leading democratic presidential candidates that started with several confrontational moments at this week's debate in Myrtle Beach South Carolina, that was followed by tough radio ads.

Obama accused Hillary Clinton of being willing to say anything to get elected. He said it was response to Clinton's radio ad, which he said distorted his comments about Republican ideas, both camps have now withdrawn their radio ads.

Pavithra George Reuters.