Obama campaign says it's organizing groups statewide

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) Barack Obama's presidential campaign says it is organizing at least a hundred "neighborhood teams" across North Dakota.

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee says he'll compete this fall in a number of traditionally Republican states including North Dakota.

Obama state director Anita Decker says the teams will be all across the state, and they'll have weekly goals to meet.

Obama's campaign has opened field offices in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Minot. Obama chief of staff Jim Messina says the campaign effort will also extend to North Dakota's rural areas.

(SOUND: Sound files have been e-mailed to accompany this story) (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-12-08 1402CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list