LORDSTOWN, Ohio -- John McCain chastised Barack Obama and called for face-to-face town-hall meetings after being asked about a report that his rival claimed that if McCain is elected president, he will appoint a Supreme Court that rolls back gains in women's rights over the past 50 years.

"I respect Senator Obama and I admire his success, and I will conduct a respectful campaign," McCain said Friday after touring a General Motors factory here. "That kind of a statement or allegation is not worthy of Senator Obama or worthy of the debate that the American people want and deserve."

Reiterating his call for joint town-hall meetings, McCain added: "If Senator Obama wants to make a statement like that while we're both on stage or before a group of Americans, then I will be glad to respond to him. I think my record speaks clearly for itself."

The Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper, reported Thursday that Obama made the comment last week during a private meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

An Obama spokesman said he had no immediate comment on the report.