Obama campaign adds N.C. stops this week

Greensboro, N.C. — The Obama campaign has announced that its most visible faces will be making more stops in North Carolina this week.

Campaign officials said Saturday that Barack Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, will speak Monday in Greensboro, in addition to an already scheduled rally at East Carolina University in Greenville.

Biden will hold a rally at ECU's Brickyard, outside the Mendenhall Student Center, at 10 a.m. He will follow with a rally at Price Bryan Performance Place, 200 N. Davie Street in Greensboro, at 2:15 p.m.

Both events are free and open to the public, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP on the campaign's Web site. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Associated Press reports that Obama will make an appearance on Wednesday, but the location has not yet been determined.

The candidate's wife, Michelle, will make two appearances on the same day, including an "Early Vote for Change" rally in the Rocky Mount area. Details of that rally have not been announced.

Michelle Obama will address the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina at Fuller Recreation Complex, 6627 Old Bunce Road, in Fayetteville. That event is open to conference registrants only.

Michelle Obama "will speak to the group of religious and community leaders about the faith and values that have driven Sen. Obama as a father, husband and public servant," a campaign press release stated.

The heavy focus on North Carolina in the crucial final days of the race indicates just how valuable the state is to both candidates amid an approaching election and tight polls. North Carolina has not voted for a Democrat since 1976, but Obama has moved even in the polls with a heavy investment in the state and the aid of changing demographics and a large bloc of black voters.

A WRAL News poll conducted Thursday showed McCain with a slim two-point lead, within the poll's 4-point margin of error.