Today on the presidential campaign trail

Obama and family celebrate Independence Day in red-state Montana ... Obama struggles to explain how his trip to Iraq could refine his policy on US presence there ... McCain calls campaign staff shake-up part of "natural evolution" ... Obama says 'mental distress' not valid for late-term abortions

___

Obama spends July Fourth in Montana

BUTTE, Mont. (AP)--Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama celebrated the Fourth of July with his family in Montana.

Cheers greeted Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters as they arrived to watch the town parade. The crowd also broke into song, singing a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Obama's oldest daughter, Malia, who turned 10 on Friday.

Obama joked that he told the birthday girl not to get caught up in all the fuss.

"All the fireworks and stuff are not just for her," he said to laughs.

After the parade, the Obamas hosted a "family picnic" for hundreds--part campaign rally, part birthday party for Malia. They also were to spend part of the afternoon sitting for interviews with such family friendly magazines as People, Essence and Parenting.

Before taking a seat to watch the floats pass by, Obama praised Montana's beauty and said he was making a play for every state, including reliably Republican ones like Montana. He also asked the audience to remember those who are suffering amid all the Independence Day celebrations.