Source: Australian Associated Press General News

US Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson had to "haul Senator Trood into line" over his comments.

"Regrettably, the Liberal Party has form in this area," Mr Smith told reporters in Perth.

He said that when in government former prime minister John Howard and Dr Nelson, then defence minister, had attacked politically Senator Obama, saying effectively that he was "a candidate for the terrorists".

"This morning on TV, we find in opposition the Liberal Party mounting a political attack on Senator Obama, saying he is candidate of bad economic policy," said Mr Smith.

He said Liberal frontbencher Tony Abbott had joined in an attack on Senator Obama, but not to the same extent as Senator Trood.

Mr Abbott today told ABC Television: "He (Senator Obama) sounds terrific but I don't know what's really there". Mr Smith said: "Dr Nelson must repudiate the political attack launched by Senator Trood and to a lesser extent, Mr Abbott, this morning on national TV.

"The government has made very, very clear that the alliance between the United States and Australia transcends governments in Australia and administrations in the US.

"It's one thing to talk about public policy, it's one thing to talk about the need for trade reform ... "It's another thing to launch a political attack on a candidate whether that candidate is Senator Obama or whether it's Senator (John McCain). "So Dr Nelson really needs to haul Senator Trood into line."