PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Obama doesn't commit to Belton appearance

Military groups had hoped for joint candidate appearance.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential hopeful, raised campaign money in Houston on Thursday but has not agreed to address Fort Hood soldiers alongside his Republican opponent.

A consortium of military and veterans' groups had hoped to host Obama and Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton on Aug. 11. The two candidates would discuss military issues before an audience of troops, veterans and their families.

McCain agreed to attend the event, which CBS offered to broadcast, but Obama's camp said he has a previously scheduled commitment. A spokeswoman did not say what that commitment is.

"We basically had asked for alternate dates in which he might be available," said Carissa Picard, one of the organizers of the would-be event. "They haven't been able to provide those to us yet."

The Aug. 11 event is off, but Picard said she hopes the men can agree to a different date.

Phillip Carter, Obama's veterans director, said the chance to meet with troops was one of the main reasons Obama recently went to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

"During his many visits to Texas, Senator Obama met with veterans and military families to discuss his commitment to stand up for them when he's commander-in-chief and looks forward to continuing the dialogue with veterans across the country," Carter said.

Obama has held events with veterans in recent months, and his wife, Michelle, has met with military families.

But U.S. Rep. John Carter, a Round Rock Republican who represents Fort Hood, criticized Obama on Thursday for passing on the Belton event but finding time to raise money in Texas.

jembry@statesman.com; (202) 887-8329