On Saturday, the presidential campaign of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama plans to open 23 offices in rural communities around the state.

The communities include:  Farmington, West Plains, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff, Rolla, Marshfield, Warrenton, Bolivar, Camdenton and Louisiana, Mo.

Former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, D-Mo., and Betty McCaskill — mother of U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill — are among the well-known Democrats to be on hand for the openings.

Obama’s urban and suburban offices will open later, a spokeswoman said.

McCaskill said in a statement that the rural offices will prove that Obama’s pledge to campaign in GOP-leaning rural areas is “not just talk.”

The openings are part of the Obama campaign’s plan to station more than 100 paid workers in the state.

Republicans predict the rural offices won’t stay open long.

As of a couple weeks ago, the campaign of Republican rival John McCain has said they have about a dozen staffers stationed in 10 offices.