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A spokesman for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama says it’s not true that security concerns will prevent the presidential candidate from visiting Greensboro.

Obama, in a close race with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic party nomination, will visit Charlotte and Fayetteville on Wednesday.

"We were looking at a number of different locations," Obama spokesman Dan Leistikow said by phone Monday. "It had nothing to do with security. It had to do with his schedule."

Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson said during the weekend that a rally was first proposed for The Depot downtown but was canceled because of security concerns.

"I was looking forward to it," Johnson said. "I thought it was going to be a great opportunity to hear from him."

She and other voters still might get that chance, Leistikow suggested.

"We certainly expect to have him campaign in the Greensboro area very soon heading up to the May 6 primary," Leistikow said.

Senate race heats up

The campaigns for Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Kay Hagan, a state senator from Greensboro, and Jim Neal, a Chapel Hill investment adviser, have begun to target one another a bit more, after several months of being content to knock the Republican incumbent, Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

Hagan tossed what might have been the first shots during an interview with WNCN-TV in the Triangle, when asked about appearing at an event in her opponent's hometown.

"You know, he just moved back here in '06, so I think I will have the name recognition," Hagan said on camera.

On Friday, Neal's campaign knocked Hagan for not accepting an invitation to debate with Public Radio East.

"(T)he people of North Carolina deserve better. They deserve a real discussion of the issues facing our state and our nation," Neal said in a news release.

Hagan's campaign shot back that they would debate, despite not being on their online schedule.

That prompted Neal to accuse her of "abruptly" changing her mind, suggesting it was not unlike her decision first not run and then to get into the primary race.

Hagan's campaign said that she was indeed traveling the state to talk to voters.

"That's why, in addition to debates, she's out-and-about all over the state," a news release read.

If nothing else, the debate on March 28 should be a little more interesting now.

Probonds group online

A group backing the

$457 million in school bonds on the May primary ballot has gone online: http://ivoteyesforkids.com

Candidates on TV

Independent producer Jim Longworth sends word that his Triad Today program will feature interviews with five of the six candidates for governor at the end of March. Democratic Treasurer candidate Richard Moore is the only one of the leading contenders missing.

Air time will be 6:30 a.m. March 28 on WXLV-45.

The show will air again at 10 p.m. March 30 on WMYV-48. You'll be able to catch a stream online at http://www.triadtoday.com

Women in politics

Common Cause is hosting an event at N.C. A&T on Wednesday with three women prominent in local politics giving their thoughts about, well, being prominent women in local politics.

Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson, Greensboro Councilwoman Trudy Wade and State Rep. Alma Adams will share "their experiences and advice to college students regarding the challenges of women entering public service," according to a news release from Common Cause.

Former U.S. Rep. Eva Clayton is the keynote speaker.

It's at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Stallings Ballroom inside the Memorial Student Union. Sponsors are Common Cause Club for Political Reform and the A&T Political Science Society.

Staff writer Mark Binker contributed.