LANSING, Mich. - Democratic candidate Barack Obama doesn't want the embattled mayor of Detroit on hand when Obama accepts the party's presidential nomination in Denver. | In Chicago, 'Where's Waldo?' becomes 'Where's Barack?' | Ex-Virginia governor tapped for Dems' keynote

A spokesman for Obama said Thursday that Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick would be a distraction if he goes to the convention as a superdelegate.

Kilpatrick faces eight felony charges in a perjury case and two felony charges in an assault case. A Michigan judge told Kilpatrick on Thursday that he could attend the convention. His lawyer, James Thomas, said high-ranking Democrats want Kilpatrick to attend.

But Obama spokesman Brent Colburn said in an e-mail that the focus of the convention should be on Obama and not on what Colburn called "the troubles of one individual."