Obama’s unannounced stops thrill Wisconsin students and New Mexico lunch-goers

Obama surprises students in Wis., diners in NM

MADISON, Wis. — President Barack Obama is making time for unscheduled campaign-style stops in a day already packed with events in two states.

Obama surprised the football, volleyball and girls’ tennis teams at LaFollette High School in Madison, Wis., by visiting their practice fields Tuesday. Students squealed in delight and jockeyed to shake the president’s hand.

White House spokesman Bill Burton said Obama urged the football players to work hard in sports and school and to avoid the types of mental errors that caused the Green Bay Packers to lose Monday to his favorite team, the Chicago Bears.

Earlier in Albuquerque, N.M., Obama surprised the lunch crowd at Barela’s Coffee House. He ordered a meal to go, leaving a $20 bill for the $8.77 tab. He planned to spend the night in Des Moines, Iowa.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Barack Obama is making time for unscheduled campaign-style stops in a day already packed with events in three states.

Obama surprised the football, volleyball and girls’ tennis teams at LaFollette High School in Madison, Wis., by visiting their practice fields Tuesday. Students squealed in delight and jockeyed to shake the president’s hand.

White House spokesman Bill Burton said Obama urged the football players to work hard in sports and school and to avoid the types of mental errors that caused the Green Bay Packers to lose Monday to his favorite team, the Chicago Bears.

Earlier in Albuquerque, N.M., Obama surprised the lunch crowd at Barela’s Coffee House. He ordered a meal to go, leaving a $20 bill for the $8.77 tab. He planned to spend the night in Des Moines, Iowa.

(This version corrects to two states in first paragraph instead of three.)