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Today on the presidential campaign trail

By The Associated Press

5:08 PM EDT, July 4, 2008

IN THE HEADLINES

Obama and family celebrate Independence Day in red-state Montana ... Obama struggles to explain how his trip to Iraq could refine his policy on US presence there ... McCain calls campaign staff shake-up part of "natural evolution" ... Obama says 'mental distress' not valid for late-term abortions

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Obama spends July Fourth in Montana

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama celebrated the Fourth of July with his family in Montana.

Cheers greeted Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters as they arrived to watch the town parade. The crowd also broke into song, singing a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Obama's oldest daughter, Malia, who turned 10 on Friday.

Obama joked that he told the birthday girl not to get caught up in all the fuss.

"All the fireworks and stuff are not just for her," he said to laughs.

After the parade, the Obamas hosted a "family picnic" for hundreds -- part campaign rally, part birthday party for Malia. They also were to spend part of the afternoon sitting for interviews with such family friendly magazines as People, Essence and Parenting.

Before taking a seat to watch the floats pass by, Obama praised Montana's beauty and said he was making a play for every state, including reliably Republican ones like Montana. He also asked the audience to remember those who are suffering amid all the Independence Day celebrations.

Obama apologized for not walking the parade route, explaining that if he did everyone would have had to show their hands to the Secret Service agents along the route, possibly ruining the holiday fun.

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Obama says Iraq trip could refine his policy

FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- Democrat Barack Obama struggled to explain how his upcoming trip to Iraq might refine, but not basically alter, his promise to quickly remove U.S. combat troops from the war.

A dustup over war policy -- one of the main issues separating the Illinois senator from his Republican opponent, John McCain -- overshadowed Obama's town-hall meeting with veterans here Thursday to talk about patriotism and his plans to care for them. Republicans pounced on the chance to characterize Obama as altering a core campaign policy "for the sake of political expedience." He denied equally forcefully that he was shifting positions.

Arriving in Fargo, Obama hastily called a news conference to discuss news of a sixth-straight month of nationwide job losses. But the questioning turned to Iraq policy and his impending trip there.

"I am going to do a thorough assessment when I'm there," he said. "I'm sure I'll have more information and continue to refine my policy."

He left the impression that his talks with military commanders could refine his promise to remove U.S. combat troops within 16 months of taking office.

After the town hall meeting, Obama went before reporters to "try this again."

"Apparently I was not clear enough this morning," he said, blaming any confusion on McCain's campaign, which he said had "primed the pump with the press" to suggest "we were changing our policy when we haven't."