John McCain will make a few impromptu stops in Fayetteville today.

The Republican presidential candidate is scheduled to arrive after 1 p.m. today at the Fayetteville Airport, but a campaign rally is not slated to start until after 4:30 p.m. (Doors open at 2 p.m., though if you're intending on going.)

The schedule was pushed back this morning. There is no advance word on where McCain may stop, although typically campaigns look for diners and barbecue joints to connect with regular folks.

Country musician Hank Williams Jr. is also scheduled to be at the rally, and there is word — so far unconfirmed by the campaign — that Kid Rock will make an appearance as well.

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, a regular fixture at McCain events in North Carolina, will greet him at the airport and make appearances along with him today.

Update: McCain may spend the extra time doing one-on-one interviews and/or satellite interviews with national media instead.

Dome will have live updates throughout the day on our new Twitter feed here.

Sarah Palin challenged North Carolina voters Thursday to choose Republican Sen. John McCain's promise to balance the federal budget in four years, bring tax relief to every American and drill for offshore oil.

Before an energetic crowd that nearly filled an Elon University baseball field, the vice-presidential candidate on McCain's ticket urged voters to reject what she described as Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's plan to redistribute wealth and raise taxes, Josh Shaffer reports.

"It's the choice between a politician who puts his faith in government," Palin said, "and a true leader who puts his faith in you."

Thousands packed the sun-blazed field in support of Palin, including five students who painted her name on their bare chests, along with a sixth who painted an exclamation point.

The Palin trumpeted McCain's performance in Wednesday night's presidential debate, saying her running-mate will reform the waste that led to the nation's financial crisis.

"John McCain is going to Washington to work for Joe the Plumber," said Palin, referring to the everyman voter who unintentionally became the star of Wednesday's debate.

Palin drew cheers, but the loudest reception came for country music legend Hank Williams Jr., who performed a song he wrote for the campaign to the tune of his hit "Family Tradition."

He wore a Carolina Panthers jersey with his nickname "Bocephus" stenciled on the back. 

Sarah Palin is coming back to North Carolina Thursday.

The Republican vice presidential candidate will be at the baseball stadium at Elon University for a rally at noon along with country singer Hank Williams Jr. 

Williams debuted a song today, "The McCain-Palin Tradition," about the GOP ticket. He will perform it at the rally. 

Tickets will be available at major McCain offices around the state. They are limited to two per-person and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Palin will also be at a private fundraiser in Greensboro Thursday.