Former President Bill Clinton will hold a campaign rally in Minneapolis on Thursday, stumping on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken.

The Obama campaign announced the visit Monday but said details of the appearance won't be available until today.

As the Democrats' most powerful surrogate for their presidential nominee, Clinton recently has been ramping up his travels on Obama's behalf.

He last visited Minneapolis a year ago, headlining a rally for his wife, Hillary, who at the time was the front-runner for the Democratic nomination.

Meanwhile, independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader will hold a rally at the University of Minnesota on Friday. The 7 p.m. rally will be held at Willey Hall.

BOB VON STERNBERG