Obama: Republican attacks "not that big of a deal"

By Ellen Wulfhorst

YORK, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on Thursday shrugged off the criticisms from the Republican convention, saying he's been called worse on the basketball court.

Republicans are going on the attack because they did not have any ideas or concrete plans to help improve the lives of ordinary Americans, Obama told reporters after touring a factory that makes hydro-energy equipment in York, Pennsylvania.

"They've spent the entire two nights attacking me or extolling John McCain's biography, which is fine," said Obama, who faces Republican John McCain in the November election.

"They can use their convention time any way they want, but you can't expect that I'd be surprised by attacks from Republicans," Obama said.

The U.S. senator from Illinois has taken some sharp barbs from Republicans, who nominated Ariz. Sen. John McCain as their presidential candidate at their convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, this week.

In her speech on Wednesday, the Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, mocked Obama's education, career choices, legislative record, policy proposals, speaking skills and ability to attract large crowds.

"What does he actually seek to accomplish after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet?" she asked.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who also spoke on Wednesday, accused Obama of frequently changing his positions.

"If I were Joe Biden, I'd want to get that VP thing in writing," Giuliani said of Obama's running mate, the Democratic senator from Delaware, who was nominated along with Obama last week at the Democratic convention in Denver.

Obama called the attacks "not that big of a deal."

"I've been called worse on the basketball court," he said.

Asked exactly what he has been called on the basketball court, he laughed and replied: "You'd have to bleep it out."

Obama also was asked if he thought the media's treatment of Palin had been sexist.

"I assume that she wants to be treated the same way that guys want to be treated, which means that their records are under scrutiny," he said. "I've been under this for 19 months. Shes been through it, what, four days so far?" he said.

Palin is the first female Republican vice presidential nominee.

(Editing by Patricia Zengerle)