WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle kick off their first official campaign events May 5 with Ohio and Virginia rallies.

Obama Campaign manager Jim Messina and top strategist David Axelrod said in a Wednesday evening conference call with reporters plans for the battleground state stops at Ohio State University in Columbus and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond have been in the works for "awhile."

Said Messina, "welcome to the general election." Axelrod said Obama will "ramp up" as his schedule allows.

Shortly after the call, the Obama campaign sent out text about the rallies with an offer: "sign up the chance to join (Obama) backstage."