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And politicians on the stump.

The Pittsburgh area will see a double-burst of national politics as Vice President Dick Cheney campaigns in Oakland on Sunday for the Republican ticket and Sen. John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, rallies with supporters Monday at a barbecue in Fox Chapel.

Appearances of political heavyweights in this region are expected to intensify as President Bush and Kerry battle for the Keystone State, viewed as a key battleground in the race for the White House. Only four states have more electoral votes than Pennsylvania's 21, and the state's voters by a narrow margin favored Democrat Al Gore over Bush in the 2000 presidential fight.

Kerry arrived Wednesday for a two-day break from the campaign trail. He's staying at the Fox Chapel estate of his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry. The barbecue will be held there with friends and supporters

"It's home for Teresa, and John Kerry has a strong connection to Pennsylvania. He enjoys spending time with his wife, family and friends in Western Pennsylvania," said Kathy Roeder, a spokeswoman for the Kerry campaign.

Cheney's first bus tour of the 2004 campaign includes a speech at 12:25 p.m. Sunday at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland. Later Sunday, Cheney is scheduled to attend the Altoona Curve baseball game at the Blair County Baseball Park in Altoona.

"The vice president looks forward to spending the holiday weekend in Pennsylvania," said Bush-Cheney spokesman Kevin Madden. "I think it highlights how important Pennsylvania and communities throughout the state are to our campaign."

Cheney will talk about "strengthening the economy and keeping America safe," Madden said.

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