Obama to kick off general election with campus rallies in Ohio and Virginia

Barack Obama in Columbus, Ohio on November 2, 2008 (David Katz/Obama for America) On Saturday May 5, President Barack Obama and the first lady Michelle Obama will kick off the general election with rallies at Ohio State University in Columbus and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Their day will start with a morning rally at OSU and will be followed by an afternoon rally at VCU.

Obama won both states in 2008 and leads them in recent polling. He also had a huge advantage among young voters, an edge he continues to hold. Maintaining his advantage in Ohio, Virginia, and among young voters will virtually guarantee his reelection, so starting his campaign this way is as much about strategy as symbolism.

In a conference call with reporters last night, the campaign said that while the events represented the kickoff of the general election, the president won't shifting to a full-time schedule of campaign rallies anytime soon. Instead, there will be a "slow ramp" until Labor Day, at which point the campaign will hit full stride.

Unlike President Obama, who still carries the responsibility of the presidency, Mitt Romney will be able to focus his full attention on campaigning. Romney plans his own campus rally in the Ohio area tomorrow at 2:00 PM, when he'll hold an event with Ohio Gov. John Kasich at Otterbein University in the Columbus suburb of Westerville.