Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama said last night he expects Republicans to highlight the fact that he is black as part of an effort to make voters afraid of him.
"It is going to be very difficult for Republicans to run on their stewardship of the economy or their outstanding foreign policy," Mr Obama told a fundraiser in Jacksonville, Florida. "We know what kind of campaign they're going to run. They're going to try to make you afraid.
"They're going to try to make you afraid of me. He's young and inexperienced and he's got a funny name. And did I mention he's black?"
He said he was also set for Republicans to say "he's got a feisty wife," in trying to attack his wife Michelle.
"We know the strategy because they've already shown their cards. Ultimately I think the American people recognize that old stuff hasn't moved us forward. That old stuff just divides us," he said.
Mr Obama, who faces Republican John McCain in the November election, would be the first black US president if he wins.
Born to a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya, he has cast himself as a candidate who can bridge divides within the country, including those involving race.
It has been rare for him to bring up the topic during his presidential bid. In March he gave a widely praised speech on the subject after receiving criticism over racially charged comments by his longtime pastor.
Meanwhile, the Obama campaign said last night it had raised $21.9 million in May. The Illinois senator's campaign said it had $43.1 million in the bank at the end of the month, with debts of about $304,000.
The disclosure followed Mr Obama's reversal on the question of whether he would take public financing, which drew sharp criticism from his Republican opponent, John McCain.
Mr McCain's campaign said yesterday he raised almost as much in May - $21.5 million. He spent $11.6 million and ended the month owing $1.27 million, with $31.5 million in the bank, up $10 million from the end of April. During the primary season, his campaign raised $96 million.