Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

Obama to visit 3 key states during GOP convention

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

By KEN THOMAS
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trying to steal some of the spotlight, President Barack Obama plans to campaign in three battleground states next week as Republicans gather in Florida to nominate presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Obama's campaign said Wednesday the president would hold college-themed events in Ames, Iowa, and Fort Collins, Colo., on Tuesday, the second day of the Republican convention. Obama was traveling to Charlottesville, Va., on Wednesday for a rally that will come hours before Rep. Paul Ryan's convention address.

Vice President Joe Biden was to visit Florida on Monday and Tuesday, including a stop in Tampa, the site of the GOP convention. First lady Michelle Obama, meanwhile, was scheduled to appear on "The Late Show with David Letterman" on the GOP convention's third night as part of a back-to-school media tour. Her late-night TV appearance that Wednesday will air shortly after Ryan's address and ahead of Romney's convention speech the following evening.

Presidential candidates have typically kept a low profile during the conventions of their opponents, but that has changed in recent years. During the 2008 Republican National Convention, for example, Obama campaigned in Ohio and Pennsylvania while Biden courted voters in Florida and Virginia.

By staying on the road, Obama and Biden will be able to offer a counterpoint to Republicans during their convention, which is considered an important opportunity for the GOP to introduce Romney before a national audience. Romney officials said the former Massachusetts governor was expected to hold events during the Democratic National Convention, which begins in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 4. The places he'll visit have not been announced.

Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the president, first lady and Biden would be "laying out the choice the American people are facing in November, cutting through some of the political chatter." She said that by sending Biden to the city where Republicans will hold their convention, "he's going to the belly of the beast."

Romney senior adviser Kevin Madden told reporters Wednesday that Biden's trip was aimed at distracting from the Democrats' economic record. He said the vice president's presence in Florida will help Republicans draw a contrast between the parties' economic visions for the country.

Associated Press writer Julie Pace in Little Rock, Ark., contributed to this report.