Notes from the Obama Trail

Barack Obama is flying from Asheville to Nashville today. He spent the last few days in North Carolina, surprising attendees at the state's annual Vance-Aycock dinner the night before a big rally at Asheville High.

NPR's Audie Cornish reports that Obama strategist David Axelrod talked to reporters on the campaign plane today, and he said the following:

"Tonight...Sen McCain, this is his preferred format. He wanted to do all these debates in a town hall format and we understand that. He's [McCain] also signaled to his supporters that he will be aggressive in this debate and that he is going to take the gloves off. I hope in the course of that he has time to speak to the state of the economy which is in deep trouble right now ...we are going to talk about that; we are going to talk about the issues that are important to the American people. But we are prepared for a very aggressive debate."

What will Obama do if McCain brings up Obama's association with controversial types like former Weather Underground leader William Ayers?
"The Senator is going to be prepared to speak to whatever comes up if mccain or anyone else chooses to bring that up."
"If that comes up he will be ready to discuss that but one hopes the focus of this debate will be the issues that touch on the lives of every day people.

On how the tone of the election has changed:
"We're running for president of the United States. It's a rough and tough pursuit and this is part of it."

It's safe to say that neither Obama nor McCain would be headed to Tennessee if not for the debate tonight. The latest polls in the Volunteer State have McCain up by more than 15 points.

--Laurel Wamsley

3:35 PM ET | 10- 7-2008 | permalink

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