Associated Press (Arizona)

Democratic U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona is endorsing Barack Obama after earlier backing John Edwards in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Grijalva cited Obama's electability and his intention to "fundamentally change the rules of the game" in Washington, according to a statement obtained by The Associated Press in advance of a planned Tuesday conference call with reporters.

… In the statement explaining his switch to Obama, Grijalva said it "was not a repudiation of Senator Edwards, rather the understanding that Senator Barack Obama is the future."

"The best opportunity to win in November rests with Senator Obama," Grijalva added. "I am proud to support Senator Obama as we move forward toward the nomination. This election is not merely about moving the pieces around in Washington D.C., but to fundamentally change the rules of the game. I am proud to help Senator Obama work toward that change."

Arizona Daily Star (Arizona)

If Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is the Democratic presidential nominee, his appeal to independents could help the party win control of the state Legislature for the first time in 40 years, a group of Democratic lawmakers argued Monday.

Meanwhile, in Tucson, four members of the City Council — Regina Romero, Nina Trasoff, Shirley Scott and Karin Uhlich — endorsed Obama.

… "By having Sen. Obama on the top of the ticket . . . we have a great opportunity to bring those voters to the polls and elect more Democrats," said state Rep. Steve Gallardo, a Phoenix Democrat and minority whip.

Arizona Republic (Arizona)

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama plans to hold a political rally at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum late Wednesday afternoon.

Steve Gallardo, member of the Obama for President Campaign Arizona steering committee, said doors at the coliseum will open to the public at 3:30 p.m.

… "(Obama) recognizes Arizona is a battleground state for Super Tuesday and sees its growing population," Gallardo said.

DU Clarion (Colorado)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama will speak at DU tomorrow at Magness Arena. The event is called "Community Gathering for Change," and Obama is expected to arrive at 9 a.m. and speak for 40 minutes. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

…"Barack Obama has generated the largest support from youth than any other presidential candidate in a long time," said Dylah Werbner, DU coordinator of the group. Obama is "really supportive of the youth vote."

Obama is expected to focus on his themes of hope and change. According to Werbner, he will likely speak about"hope and change and how the youth can bring about change and [how their vote] will make or break this election."

The Day (Connecticut)

Sen. Obama … has said he would search for unity in his presidency, seeking the counsel of independents and even Republicans. He has responded when unfairly attacked, but we see no evidence that he has tried to distort the records of his foes in the primary. Sen. Obama is blessed with immense oratory skill, but he has not used it to demean political foes — Democrats or Republicans.

For too long, our national political debate has been focused on discrediting the opposition and seeking political leverage, rather than on pursuing collective solutions to the serious challenges the U.S. faces. Some may see Sen. Obama's desire for a change in the political discourse as naïve. We view it as inspiring.

… The Day urges Democratic voters to select Sen. Barack Obama in the Feb. 5 primary.

KARE|NBC Minneapolis (Minnesota)

Illinois Senator Barack Obama will visit Minnesota Saturday, in hopes of boosting turnout in next Tuesday's DFL precinct caucuses.

…“Minnesota for the first time in our memory is going to matter and matter big time in presidential politics," said Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak, the chairman of the Obama campaign in Minnesota, "And Barack Obama we believe is going to make a major impact on Minnesota when he comes here on Saturday."

…The campaign has the endorsements of Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Congressman Keith Ellison, but is expecting to carry the day with an intense grassroots get-out-the-vote effort.

Kansas City Star (Missouri)

Sen. Barack Obama, fresh from a major victory in South Carolina, brings his presidential campaign to downtown Kansas City today.

After stopping this morning in El Dorado, Kan. — where he’s expected to pick up the endorsement of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius — Obama will hold a 5:45 p.m. rally at Municipal Auditorium.

This event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 3:45 p.m., according to an Obama campaign official.

…The senator from Illinois, like other presidential candidates in both parties, is darting around the nation, looking to pick up votes and delegates in Super Tuesday states, including Kansas and Missouri.

El Paso Times (New Mexico)

The Barack Obama campaign has opened a campaign headquarters in Las Cruces at 212 West Hadley.

The campaign will will hold a press conference at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday to announce the endorsements of prominent Southern New Mexico elected officials and to host the grand opening of its Las Cruces campaign headquarters.

… Last week House Majority Leader Ken Martinez, State Representatives Nate Cote, Joseph Cervantes, and Antonio Lujan endorsed Senator Barack Obama, citing Obama's ability to unite people to bring change people can believe in. The campaign has field offices in Roswell, Santa Fe, Silver City, Gallup and Albuquerque, and thousands of supporters statewide.