Sep 12, 2008 5:38 pm US/Pacific
Ike Tones Down Obama Campaign Plans
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) ―
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Sen. Barack Obama speaks regarding his education plan at Stebbins High School in Riverside, Ohio, on Sept. 9, 2008.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Barack Obama toned down his campaign plans Saturday in response to Hurricane Ike, canceling plans to crack jokes on "Saturday Night Live" and appear in a boisterous rally with his running mate.
Obama was to appear in a skit on the NBC comedy show's season premiere, hosted by Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps.
Campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Obama decided it was no longer appropriate because of the devastation in Texas.
Obama and vice presidential nominee Joe Biden were to campaign together at an outdoor rally in Manchester's Veteran's Memorial Park. But the campaign decided to scale back the event as the storm battered the Gulf Coast. Biden decided not to appear, the campaign said.
Obama spoke by telephone Friday with David Paulison, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Houston Mayor Bill White to get an update on the approaching hurricane. Obama spokeswoman Linda Douglass said the senator told White he would do whatever he can to help, including using his campaign Web site to raise funds for relief efforts.
Obama planned to return to Chicago Saturday after the New Hampshire rally and spend the rest of the weekend at home.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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