SEATTLE — A comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchor could derail Hillary Rodham Clinton's participation in presidential debates on that network, a Clinton spokesman said.

Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson yesterday criticized MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had "pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to Democratic Party superdelegates on her mother's behalf. Wolfson called the comment "beneath contempt" and added: "I, at this point, can't envision a scenario where we would continue to engage in debates on that network."

MSNBC said Shuster, who has apologized on the air, has been temporarily suspended from all NBC news broadcasts.

"NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks," MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines said.

Clinton and Barack Obama are scheduled to participate in an MSNBC debate Feb. 26 from Ohio, which holds its primary March 4.

Wolfson said that debate is now jeopardized.

OBAMA'S PLAN ON GLOBAL WARMING

SEATTLE — Democrat Barack Obama said yesterday the nation must accept the costs of reducing carbon emissions to combat global warming, a key issue in this eco-conscious city.

Campaigning a day before Washington state's presidential caucus, the Illinois senator said he would set a policy to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and require new vehicles to be more fuel efficient.

Such measures, he said, will raise prices for consumers and businesses initially, but lead eventually to cost savings and reduced greenhouse gases.

"We have to put a price on all pollution," Obama said after visiting a large pipe-welding plant.

He said the government would have to help lower-income households pay the rising energy bills that would result.

MCCAIN NOT RULING OUT RUNNING MATES

NORFOLK, Va. — On his first full day as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, John McCain fended off discussion of specific potential running mates but made it clear he sees no requirement to pick someone from a different region.

"I don't want to in any way sidestep the candidacy of Governor Huckabee," McCain told reporters here before flying off to Wichita, Kan., and Seattle. "He's in this race, and for me to dismiss him would be inappropriate and unrealistic."

McCain is from Arizona, but Mike Huckabee, from Arkansas, has more proven voter appeal in the South.