Projo Politics Blog

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton may be slugging it out with dueling polls and fighting words in the big primary states, but in teeny Rhode Island Obama's campaign is hauling out the humbler term "grassroots" to get on the primary ballot.

"A grassroots, all-volunteer effort kicks off this weekend to ensure that Barack Obama qualifies for the March 4 Rhode Island Presidential Primary," said a news release today. "Rhode Island law requires that 1,000 notarized signatures of registered voters in the state be obtained by Dec. 26."

Their plans to get people to sign on the line starts Saturday, with petitions at these spots, including one that says it all: "Blue State Coffee."

* Downtown Providence: Kennedy Plaza Skating Rink, 232 Westminster St.

* Providence's East Side -- Blue State Coffee, 300 Thayer Stt

* Providence's West Side: Atwells Ave./Dean St. , Nick's on Broadway, 259 Broadway

* Pawtucket: Pawtucket Public Library, 13 Summer St.

* Cumberland: Dave's Marketplace, 2077 Diamond Hill Rd.

* Warwick: Community College of Rhode Island

* Cranston: Whole Foods Market, 151 Sockanosset Cross Rd.

* Barrington: Shaw's Supermarket, 186 County Rd.

* East Greenwich: Starbucks, 555 Main St .

* Newport: Newport Public Library, 300 Spring St.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

---