Obama Begins Whistle Stop Tour By Lowering Expectations

(CBS)

ERIE, PA. -- Just five days before the highly anticipated Pennsylvania primary, Barack Obama kicks off a statewide campaign blitz today. He begins in the northwestern corner of the state, which is widely perceived as "Clinton country." Obama is expected to focus on the economy and job loss as he continues to court working class voters. He began the day with a tour of Erie Bolt Company, where he met with local workers.

Trying to lower expectations, the campaign said they expect Hillary Clinton to win the Pennsylvania primary despite making progress in the state. "We fully expect Clinton to win on Tuesday, as her campaign has predicted, but we have made headway in the state," said Jen Psaki, a campaign spokesman. She argues that Pennsylvania will be critical in the general election, and that the progress they have made now will be beneficial in November.

Obama and Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., will tour the state by train tomorrow, a first for the campaign. They see this as an opportunity to speak to voters in smaller communities. The whistle stop tour begins in Philadelphia and ends in Harrisburg.