Barack Obama joined Hillary Clinton Wednesday in calling on President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing if human rights conditions do not improve.

Obama released a written statement on the issue just as officials in San Francisco were relocating the closing Olympic torch ceremony in the face of massive demonstrations.

"If the Chinese do not take steps to help stop the genocide in Darfur and to respect the dignity, security, and human rights of the Tibetan people, then the president should boycott the opening ceremonies," Obama said. "As I have communicated in public and to the president, it is past time for China to respect the human rights of the Tibetan people ... a boycott of the opening ceremonies should be firmly on the table, but this decision should be made closer to the games."

Though Bush is not making any plans to do so, Clinton first called for him to sit out the opening ceremonies Monday, saying in a statement that recent violence in Tibet as well as the Chinese government's support for Sudan, whose leaders she said are committing genocide in Darfur, demonstrate that China is not fit to host the international sports contests.

Clinton spoke Wednesday at an Irish American forum in New York City and commended British Minister Gordon Brown for opting not to attend the opening ceremonies.

"That was an important decision by Prime Minister Brown and I am calling on Senators McCain and Obama to join me in my request that President Bush also not attend the opening ceremonies," she said.

John McCain has said Bush should keep his options open, but Obama had also been hesitant to make a call.

Earlier Wednesday, Obama spokesman Bill Burton told FOX News Obama disagreed with Clinton's call for a Bush boycott, arguing it deprived the president of using that threat as leverage in private discussions with the Chinese on repression in Tibet and support of the Sudanese government.

Obama said Monday he is "deeply disturbed by the recent events in Tibet," but at the time did not call on Bush to boycott the games.

"The Chinese government must take immediate steps to respect the dignity, security, human rights and religious freedom of the Tibetan people, to provide foreign press and diplomats with access to the region and to finally work with the Dalai Lama toward meaningful autonomy for Tibet. If they do not, there should be consequences," he said.

McCain told FOX News on Wednesday that he thinks Bush wouldn't necessarily be well-served by protesting the games.

"I think the president should evaluate the situation as it evolves, perhaps granting more autonomy and talking with the Dalai Lama as a world figure. All of us condemn the brutality of human rights abuses. If I were him, I'd keep all my options open," McCain said.

President Bush says he doesn't need to boycott the Olympics to make his positions known to the Chinese government.

Speaking to EWTN Global Catholic Network, Bush said he is not changing his plan to attend the opening ceremonies in Beijing in August.

The Summer Games will be held in Beijing from Aug. 8 to Aug. 24.

"My plans aren't ... haven't changed," Bush said. "And the reason why is because I can talk to [Chinese President Hu Jintao] about religious freedom prior to the Olympics, during the Olympics and after the Olympics, which I have done.

"I don't need the Olympics to express my position to the Chinese leadership on freedom. I just don't need them -- because that's all I have been doing as your president. In other words -- if people say, well, you need to express yourself clearly about freedom of religion, my answer is, what do you think I've been doing?"

As Bush spoke, the Olympic torch was being prepared for its ceremonial leg through San Francisco, the only city in the U.S. where it will appear. The closing ceremony was relocated after the relay had to be rerouted away from demonstrators.

Back in Washington, several organizations were appearing on Capitol Hill under the auspices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office to discuss the human rights situation in China.

Asked about a bill that passed the House Wednesday condemning the crackdown on protesters in Tibet and China, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she hopes the Olympic planners realize that no one is celebrating the protests, which she would prefer weren't necessary.

Pelosi also said she doesn't advocate boycotting the games, but was "excited and scared" to see a protest the other day on the Golden Gate Bridge.

She added, "I think the games should go on. I hope the president, in his actions, gets some change from the Chinese government. I was proud of the president when he was standing (with) the Dalai Lama under the (Capitol) Dome."

FOX News' Major Garrett contributed to this report.