Obama to visit Springfield, Rolla, Union

WASHINGTON -- Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama plans at least three stops Wednesday while touring rural areas of Missouri.

In Springfield, the Illinois senator will hold a town hall meeting at 10 a.m. at Glendale High School.

A similar session follows at 3 p.m. at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.

Obama will then head northeastward for a 6 p.m. barbecue at a park in the Washington County town of Union.

Sen. Claire McCaskill will join Obama on the campaign swing. The Missouri Democrat has urged Obama to campaign in smaller cities where Democratic presidential hopefuls are a rare sight.

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is scheduled to be in Kansas City for a private fundraiser Wednesday evening. No public events are scheduled.