TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) Barack Obama is offering his first direct criticism of sarah palin (PAY'-lin) and it's on the subject of earmarks.

Speaking at a rally in Indiana today, Obama said the Alaska governor pretends to oppose the earmarks the funding that's targeted for specific projects but that she actually had embraced that spending.

He describes John McCain's running mate as a "skillful politician," but says she's been "taking all those earmarks when it's convenient." As governor, Palin originally supported earmarks for a controversial project known as "the bridge to nowhere." She dropped her support after the state's share went up, but she hung onto 27 million dollars to build the approach road.

Until today, Obama hadn't criticized her directly. He said only that she and McCain would continue the Bush administration's policies.

% | save this article / add to your favorites list