Obama Leaving Campaign Trail to Attend to Grandmother

Our thoughts and prayers are with Barack and his family this evening as he temporarily suspends campaign events to be with his ailing grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham. Mrs. Dunham, 85, had been released from the hospital last week, but her situation has deteriorated and she is gravely ill.

Obama last visited Hawaii in August, when he vacationed there after clinching the Democratic presidential nomination. At least two scheduled rallies have been cancelled, and Michelle Obama will sub for him at several others. Barring worst case scenarios, Barack will return to the campaign trail on Saturday.