Obama starts trip to NM, Wis., Iowa and Va., to chat with voters and rally Democrats

Obama starts three-day, four-state trip in N.M

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is embarking on a four-state tour featuring three more of the backyard visits with American voters that have become a campaign staple of his.

The president flew Monday to Albuquerque, N.M., where he planned to spend the night. He will meet Tuesday morning with several people at a private home to discuss the economy and education. Obama plans similar backyard visits Wednesday in Des Moines, Iowa, and Richmond, Va.

Tuesday night he will attend a Democratic campaign rally in Madison, Wis.

Obama carried all four states in 2008, although some of them narrowly. All of them have competitive congressional races this fall.