Obama combines barbecue, politics

Democrat Barack Obama mixed presidential politics with parades and barbecue on Independence Day, celebrating his daughter's birthday with a picnic and fireworks in Montana.

Obama, concluding a weeklong campaign tour focused on values and patriotism, was cheered by crowds in Butte as he watched a holiday parade and threw a picnic for supporters in the city - a Democratic bastion in a state that normally votes Republican in White House races.

Obama was joined by his wife, Michelle, and daughters, Sasha and Malia, who was celebrating her 10th birthday.

"I finally told her the truth that all these fireworks and stuff are not just for her," Obama said of Malia, who was serenaded with "Happy Birthday" by crowds at the parade and the picnic.

Obama and his family sat in bleachers and watched floats pass for about an hour in the broiling sun. He apologized for not walking in the parade, a tradition for most US politicians, and blamed his Secret Service protection.

"This is the first parade where I haven't walked. The problem is if we start walking the Secret Service was going to have everybody put their hands up the whole parade route," he joked. "We decided that wasn't going to be much fun for everybody."

Obama later walked along the parade route for about 25 minutes anyway, shaking hands, holding babies - at one point he took two at a time - and wishing supporters a happy Fourth of July.

"Can't wait for the inaugural parade," Linda Beischel of Helena, who drove to Butte to see Obama, told the Illinois senator.

"It will be fun," Obama replied.

Obama's opponent in November's presidential election, Republican John McCain, took the day off.

REUTERS

McCain: Staff shake-up is part of 'natural evolution'
John McCain says a shake-up in the leadership of his campaign was part of a "natural evolution" as the organization becomes more national in scope.

McCain's campaign announced this week that top adviser Steve Schmidt would assume a broad variety of duties, with nearly full control over message and strategy. Schmidt will report to Rick Davis, who will keep the title of campaign manager but focus on longer-term matters including the Republican National Convention and McCain's choice of a running mate.

Addressing reporters at the conclusion of a three-day visit to Colombia and Mexico, the GOP nominee-in-waiting downplayed the personnel shift.

"Our campaign continues to grow and the responsibilities are expanding, and Mr. Schmidt is taking over some increased responsibilities," McCain said. "Rick Davis remains the campaign chairman, campaign manager. It's a natural evolution."

The staff changes - after Republican complaints that the Arizona senator's campaign lacked focus and a coherent message - threatened to overshadow McCain's trip through Latin America and his effort to present himself as a statesman experienced in foreign affairs.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Democrat's style fits one Missourian to a T
You never know what you might see on the campaign trail, and that can make the candidates a bit nervous.

While in Independence, Mo., this week, Obama expressed admiration for a T-shirt with the message "Obama's in the House" being worn by Tootsie Williams, 68, a retired conference director at Washington University in St. Louis.

So Williams proceeded to peel it off. She had another one underneath.

BLOOMBERG NEWS