"Obama may spend 4th with Iowa Cubs"

Des Moines Register:

Barack Obama, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president, is expected to celebrate the Fourth of July with the Iowa Cubs.

Jim Nahas, vice president and assistant general manager for the Cubs, said the Obama campaign purchased 500 tickets for the 7 p.m. game against New Orleans.

The tickets were purchased for the reserved grandstand sections behind the first-base dugout. The tickets cost $9 each.

“His people say he wants to sit in the stands,” Nahas said, “so I’m assuming that’s what he’ll be doing.”

Obama was second in the latest Des Moines Register Iowa poll with 23 percent support among likely Democratic caucus attendees. John Edwards was first was 29 percent.

Bill Richardson, another Democratic candidate, attended an Iowa Cubs game on April 17.

Obama will throw out a first pitch if he arrives in time. He also likely will do some radio.

“We’ll keep it simple,” said Deene Ehlis, the Cubs’ broadcaster. “We’ll probably stay away from politics.