He was saying that McCain was doing what he’s did with Palin - putting denying any involvement while encouraging his surrogates to attack.
Sorry for that mess - Obama accussed McCain of doing what he himself did with Palin - saying it was off limits while encouraging every vicous behind the scenes attack.
He might also be thinking of the birth certificate issue. I wouldn’t at all be surprised, assuming he actually was born in the U.S.A., that the reason behind suppressing the real certificate is the religion shown on it.