Obama to visit Louisiana on Monday to see damage caused by Isaac

EL PASO, Tex. -- President Obama will to fly Louisiana on Monday to survey the damage from Hurricane Isaac, the White House said Friday.

A statement announcing the trip said Obama would meet with local officials, but offered no other immediate details.

The trip is a late addition to the president’s schedule, released just hours after GOP rival Mitt Romney announced he was scrambling his Friday campaign plans to visit victims of the storm.

Obama was slated to host campaign rallies in Ohio on Monday. A rally in Cleveland has been canceled.

Both campaigns have been careful to show sensitivity to those hit by the pounding rain, winds and power failures this week -- while also keeping up the momentum and message during pivotal weeks of the campaign.

The news of Obama’s plans were released as the president was en route to a Texas military base to highlight the anniversary of the end of the Iraq war.

Obama will make remarks at Fort Bliss in El Paso and announce a new initiative to offer better mental health support for veterans.

Obama’s trip is a revival of a similar visit two years ago, in which he chatted with troops just before addressing the nation to declare the end of U.S. combat missions in the seven-year war.

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