Obama rips McCain for $5 million "rich" definition

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (Reuters) - How much money makes a person rich? That's the latest question dividing Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. presidential race.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama ripped Republican rival John McCain on Monday for joking during a televised discussion on values that $5 million fit the definition for being monetarily rich.

"I guess if you're making $3 million a year, you're middle class," Obama told a campaign event in New Mexico.

"That's reflected in ... his policies," Obama said, adding McCain would give a $500,000 tax credit to people making more than $2.5 million.

McCain, who made the comment to evangelical pastor Rick Warren on Saturday, caught himself immediately and said the remark would likely be taken out of context.

The ailing U.S. economy and soaring energy prices have become the top issue in the race for the White House.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)