ABC News' Bret Hovell Reports: Senator John McCain responded Monday to comments made by rival Sen. Barack Obama in which Obama seemed to imply that it is out of economic uncertainty that many rural voters “cling to guns or religion.”

McCain, speaking at the annual meeting of the Associated Press in Washington, DC, described a group of people who fought in World War II, and whose economic output created “the wealthiest, strongest and most generous nation on earth.”

McCain said that fighting through challenges such as the Great Depression did not shake Americans’ confidence.

“Nor did they turn to their religious faith and cultural traditions out of resentment and a feeling of powerlessness to affect the course of government or pursue prosperity,” McCain said in prepared remarks before taking questions.

“Their faith had given generations of their families purpose and meaning, as it does today. Their appreciation of traditions like hunting was based in nothing other than their contribution to the enjoyment of their lives.”

Later, while being questioned by two AP reporters, McCain was asked if he thought that Obama, D-Il, was elitist.

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

“I think those comments are elitist.” McCain said. "I can only look at his remarks and say that those are certainly not the vision I have of America and its strength and greatness."