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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Carole King is making her voice heard in the upcoming presidential election.

King made a stop in Kirksville Tuesday afternoon supporting Democratic candidate Barack Obama. She kicked off a canvass event at the Adair County Democratic headquarters, speaking about why she supports Obama and answering questions from audience members.

“He is the smartest man in the room right now, and he is also the steadiest hand on the tiller and that's what we need right now. He has a 21st century vision with 21st century solutions for 21st century problems,” King said.

King says she's not just trying to reach Democrats.

“But I know many Republicans are feeling like their party has left them, but it's a big step to vote for a Democrat. And I would say, at this point, you have a role model—Colin Powell. You don't have to leave your party, but if you want to bring your party back to where you think it should be take that courageous step and vote for a Democrat this election,” she said.

King has been on the road for the past month and a half visiting swing states and will continue campaigning for Obama over the next two weeks.

She told KTVO it's especially important to her to get out to rural communities and speak with residents because she lives in a rural community herself. She says Obama appreciates the important role rural communities play in our country.