If you were running for the Democratic nomination for governor, would you rather your campaign be run by:

a.) someone who has a long track record of winning races for Virginia Democrats in general elections but has never managed a successful hard-fought primary contest?

b.) someone who has never worked in Virginia but who has a record of winning Democratic primaries?

c.) someone who has not managed a statewide campaign but is viewed as a rising star in the Virginia Democratic consulting world?

If you think you know the best answer, you might be able, as well as anyone, to predict the winner of the June 9 Democratic primary.

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, who is also a minister at a black church in the city, announced today he is endorsing Jody W. Wagner in the race for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

Jones, a former delegate who was elected mayor last year, praised Wagner's previous service in both Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's and former governor Mark R. Warner's administrations.

"As a member of the House of Delegates for fifteen years, I was in a unique position to see how remarkable the work done by Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and Jody Wagner was to fix the mess left by the Gilmore years, and get the Commonwealth moving again," Jones said.

Its rare for a newly-elected officeholder to become heavily engaged in a contested Democratic primary. But Jones has also decided to wade into the primary for governor by endorsing his former colleague, former delegate Brian Moran.

A few hours after Terry McAuliffe submitted his petition to try to get on the Democratic primary ballot, Brian Moran announced that he has also filed his signatures today with the State Board of Elections.

Earlier today, Moran was widely expected to file his petition around noon to try to compete with McAuliffe for the first spot on the ballot. Shortly before noon, however, Moran's campaign announced it needed more time to make sure its signatures were properly notarized.

This issue was apparently quickly resolved. Moran sent out a statement this afternoon saying he submitted 16,928 signatures to the State Board of Elections. McAuliffe submitted 17,243 signatures.

Only 10,000 valid signatures are needed to qualify for the ballot.

Allyson Wilson, who had been a free-lance reporter for Fox 5 in Washington, has left her job and is now a traveling press secretary for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.

Wilson, 31, had been a regular face on Washington's Fox affiliate for nearly three years. She has also worked as a reporter and anchor in Memphis, Huntsville, Ala, and Savannah, Ga.

But Wilson said today she wanted to "learn a new skill set" because of the economic turmoil in the media industry. Wilson said she was drawn to McAuliffe's energy and enthusiasm.

"I was looking in the paper one day and was reading about him and I was excited about his momentum," Wilson said. "So I sent him my resume without there even being a job posting."

Wilson will work with Lis Smith, McAuliffe's press secretary.

McAuliffe now has 98 paid staffers, which is likely a record for a gubernatorial candidate in Virginia at this stage of a campaign.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, and Jody W. Wagner, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, were the first candidates today to submit the needed petitions to get on the ballot for the June 9 Democratic primary.

To secure a spot on the ballot, candidates need to submit at least 10,000 signatures, including the signatures of at least 400 registered voters in each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts. If McAuliffe and Wagner's signatures are verified, they will both gain the top spots on the ballot.

McAuliffe said he submitted 17,243 valid signatures. Wagner said she submitted 17,858.

GOP gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), announced today they will not fill out the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) questionnaire because, they say, the organization wants to undermine Virginia's right-to-work law.

"The SEIU's opposition to Virginia's Right to Work law and their advocacy for Card Check puts them on the wrong side of the best interests of both Virginia's workers and employers," McDonnell said. "I will not answer a questionnaire from a group that is openly hostile to secret ballot elections and free choice as to whether to join a union when a worker gets a job."

The SEIU uses its questionnaire, which is due today, to help it determine which candidates it should back in this year's state races.

The SEIU traditionally supports Democratic candidates, but by ignoring the questionnaire McDonnell and Bolling are sending another signal they plan campaign this fall on a platform of preventing unions from gaining a larger foothold in Virginia.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia, released a new 60-second radio ad this week in which in the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee appears to claim some credit for helping get President Obama elected last year.

In his ad, McAuliffe uses Obama's name to make a direct appeal to African-Americans, who make up 20 percent of the state's population and even larger share of the Democratic primary electorate.

"Did you know that Terry McAuliffe fought to protect voting rights and led the effort to give Democrats in our region a stronger voice in deciding the party's presidential nominee?" a female asks in the ad, which is airing on black radio stations in Hampton Roads and Richmond.

"That's right," a male says. "Terry McAuliffe defended our rights and was the leader who brought us together and united the party. And in 2008 our voices were heard when we elected our president, Barack Obama."

But there are ample press accounts and YouTube footage to suggest that McAuliffe, who chaired Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign, was among the handful of Americans late last spring who had not yet acknowledged that Obama had secured the Democratic
nomination.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R-Prince William) appears to be in full campaign mode as he fights to hold onto his job as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

Frederick now has a rapid response strategy, a sign both he and his critics are engaged in a heated public relations battle.

Earlier today, conservative blogs reported that nine local Republican committee chairman, including Fairfax chair Anthony Bedell, joined the growing list of GOP officials who want Frederick to resign.

"After reflecting on recent events, we have concluded that it is time for new leadership of our Party so that we can unify, and win this November," said the letter, which was also signed by the chairmen of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesterfield, Henrico, Stafford, Hanover, Rockingham and Chesapeake GOP committees

Within hours, Frederick released his response. He noted "only nine" chairmen signed the letter and they represent just "7 percent of 130 local GOP units in Virginia."

"While I greatly respect the hard work our local unit chairman perform on behalf of our party....I think the news here is who did not sign the letter," Frederick said.

Even by Virginia Republican standards, the battle over whether Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (Prince William) should be replaced as state party chairman is divisive and brutal, and the wounds it creates could have far-reaching consequences for the GOP in an election year.

Both sides in the dispute have crafted a strategy that revolves around the phrase "grass roots." Unfortunately for Virginia Republicans, there appears to be a huge disconnect over who makes up the grass roots.

And if a party doesn't know who its most loyal supporters are, can it really rebound from a string of election defeats? Or is this a case in which most party leaders know full well who their most loyal supporters are, but they don't like what they see?

Terry McAuliffe released a new 60-second radio ad today that is aimed at African-American voters in the Richmond and Hampton Roads media markets.

In the ad, McAuliffe says he fought when he was chairman of the Democratic National Committee earlier this decade to protect voting rights and he takes credit for helping to elect President Obama last year.

"Did you know that Terry McAuliffe fought to protect voting rights and led the effort to give Democrats in our region a stronger voice in deciding the party's presidential nominee?" a female asks in the ad.

"That's right," a male says. "Terry McAuliffe defended our rights and was the leader who brought us together and united the party. And in 2008 our voices were heard when we elected our president, Barack Obama."

A majority of the Democrats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and county school board announced today they are supporting Brian Moran's bid for governor.

At an event in Fairfax City, Moran was also endorsed by several delegates and the City of Fairfax Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Local 2702.

"I know Brian and he's a strong fighter for our community. He has worked hard to get results and understands the needs of local government," said Supervisor Penny Gross, who represents the Mason District. "For 20 years Brian's been fighting for our community, now we're going to fight for him."

With more than 1 million residents, Fairfax County will play a crucial role in this year's election. In the 2006 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, just under one out of every fourth vote was cast in Fairfax County.

Moran, who used to represents a small part of Fairfax County in the House of Delegates, hopes to be viewed as the hometown candidate in this year's primary. But Terry McAuliffe, who is also a candidate for the nomination, lives in McLean. And the Democratic state senators who represent Fairfax, including Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw, are supporting the third candidate in the race, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath).

In addition to Gross, Supervisors Jeff McKay (Lee) John Foust (Dranesville) and Gerry Hyland (Mount Vernon endorsed Moran today.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick is digging for a fight to keep his job as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, sending out a memo today that paints his critics as GOP "insiders" responsible for the party's dramatic decline in recent years.

In the lengthy statement, Frederick vows he "will not back down" even though nearly every top ranking GOP officeholder in the state is calling for him to be ousted.

Frederick is billing the looming clash as a contest between the party's grassroots versus the "small minority" who want to turn the Virginia GOP "into a rubber stamp for its long-time insiders."

"For years, the Virginia Republican Party had been run from the top down, with consultants and lobbyists providing far more input into the direction of our party than the grassroots," said Frederick, who blamed national and Virginia party leaders for losing control of the U.S. Senate and House in 2006. "Rest assured, we're fighting for the future of our Republican Party and our commonwealth and we will not back down."

Frederick also tries to rebut all 10 charges that the Republican State Central Committee brought against him. The charges will be aired at a meeting April 4.

The full text of Frederick's letter can be found below.

Sen. Phillip P. Puckett (D-Russell), who is part of a very politically active family in Southwest Virginia, announced today he is endorsing Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor.

In announcing his decision, Puckett took a subtle swipe at Brian Moran, who resigned from the House of Delegates in December to focus on his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.

"Creigh Deeds is in this process to serve and get things done for Virginia," Puckett said. "That's what Creigh has done in the Virginia Senate and that's what he'll do as Governor. During the most serious economic crisis in our lifetime, Creigh didn't walk away from the tough decisions."

Meanwhile, the third candidate in the race, Terry McAuliffe, also announced today he's picked up more than a dozen new endorsements. The new McAuliffe supporter with the highest profile is Del. Kenneth Plum (D-Fairfax), the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

Brian J. Moran sent out over the weekend an urgent appeal for campaign donations to help him counter Terry McAuliffe in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor.

In a letter, which was designed to appear hand-written, Moran said he needs money fast to respond to McAuliffe's television advertising campaign.

"Please forgive the unusual nature of this letter," the first sentence reads. "Circumstances dictate that I be both brief and urgent at the same time. You have been a good friend to me and this campaign...I am hoping you will take me at my word when I say I really need your help."

Moran then goes on to accuse McAuliffe of preparing to run television ads that "will range from subtly disingenuous to outright misrepresentations and distortions."

McAuliffe has so far not run an overtly negative ad against Moran, but the letter calls McAuliffe's advertising campaign "dangerous."

"In the absence of accomplishments, well-placed advertising can buy a race," the letter states. "Many people believe what they see on television."

House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) has joined the growing list of GOP officeholders who are calling for Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R-Prince William) to be ousted as chairman of the state party.

In a letter sent to members of the State Central Committee over the the weekend, Howell said the Virginia GOP needs "consistent, credible leadership."

"With its current chairman, we have serious reservations about how effictively the state party can help us accomplish our goals and persuade a majority of Virginia voters that Republicans have the right ideas and policy prescriptions," Howell wrote.

The letter, which suggests Frederick would harm GOP efforts to retain control of the House this year, was also signed by House Majority Whip M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights) and Del. Samuel A. Nixon Jr., the chair of the House GOP caucus.

As of now, House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) are the only two top GOP officeholders who are not calling for Frederick to be replaced.

Former delegate Brian Moran unveiled a three-part plan to promote government innovation and reform, which he said will help Virginia maintain its ranking as the best managed state.

Moran's proposal calls for more efficiency in government, reforms to the budgeting and procurement process and additional steps to promote technology while curbing wasteful spending. For example, Moran wants all state government travel to be booked online.

"I will bring my experience in state government, as a small business owner and my commitment to the taxpayers to make sure we remain the best managed to state in America," Moran said.

To promote innovation, Moran want to create a new task force to identify possible reforms in state government. Moran is also vowing to continue efforts to streamline the procurement process, and he promises "results-orientated budgeting."

All five Republicans who represent Virginia in Congress today called on Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick to resign as chairman of the state party, the latest salvo in a worsening feud that has turned into a major election-year distraction for the GOP.

In a letter sent to Frederick today, the five congressman said he needs to be step down immediately to salvage the party's chances in this year's governor's race.

"For the good of the Republican Party of Virginia, we write today asking that you step aside as chairman," the letter stated. "With November's election rapidly approaching, it is essential that our party be unified as we work to regain control of the governor's mansion and retain control of the House Delegates."

The letter was signed by U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor, Frank R. Wolf, Robert Goodlate, Robert Wittman and Randy Forbes.

But Frederick is vowing fight to fight to keep his job, setting up an ugly, internal battle.

"I can appreciate the pressure they are getting from the top, but we are going to keep plowing ahead," Frederick said. "It's not the members of Congress who elected me chairman, its the grassroots Republicans around the state, who are overwhelmingly sticking with me."

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling ( R) may be running as a team this year, but they have adopted separate approaches when it comes to the question of whether Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick ( R) should be replaced as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

McDonnell is supporting efforts on the GOP state central committee to remove Frederick for incompetence. But Bolling has decided to stay out of the fight.

"Our position is that this is something between State Central and Frederick," said Randy Marcus, Bolling's chief of staff. "We are not for it. We are not against it. We have enough on our plate right now."

State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax), a GOP candidate for attorney general with deep ties to social conservatives, said he is "staying out" of the battle over whether Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R-Prince William) should be replaced as chairman of the state party.

But Cuccinelli warns supporters of the effort to remove Frederick need to be very careful in not only laying out their case against Frederick but also in how they craft a plan for selecting a new chairman should he be removed.

"It is incumbent on those who are bringing this effort forward to have a plan that would be acceptable, setting emotion aside, for Jeff Frederick supporters in how we proceed in managing the party," Cuccinelli said. "If all of this is viewed as just an attempt to steal the last election (for chairman) it will be horribly damaging ...They also needs to be thinking ahead about Jeff winning this contest and everybody burying the hatchet and saying, 'now we have a job to get done'."

Cuccinelli said social conservatives he talks to are divided over whether Frederick should be removed.

Shaun Dakin, who operates the Stop Political Calls blog, has just received the audio of the robo call sent out today in support of Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick in his campaign to remain chairman of the Virginia Republican Party.

The call is a clear signal that Frederick supporters are mounting an agressive campaign to keep him as chairman.

The automated caller appears to suggest that McDonnell and Mike Thomas, the first vice-chairman of the state party, are elitists who are "taking orders from tax raising, anti-gun, pro-abortion officeholders in Richmond."

In a letter to members of the Republican State Central Committee, who will decide on April 4 whether to remove the chairman, Frederick said he did not authorize the robocall.

"I want to make it emphatically and clearly known that in no way did I have or had any involvement in the planning or execution of these calls, nor did I have prior knowledge these calls were going to be made.," Frederick said. "As of this writing, I still do not know what person or organization is behind this effort."

Below is the full text of the automated message, which is being sent to delegates who attended last year's GOP convention.

Former GOP Congressman Virgil H. Goode Jr. filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission yesterday so he can raise money for a possible rematch with U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello next year (D-Va.), according to FEC records.

Perriello, a rising star in the Virginia Democratic Party, narrowly defeated Goode in November. Perriello represents the culturally conservative 5th congressional district, which stretches from Charlottesville to Danville.

Given its traditional Republican leanings in federal races, Perriello is expected to be a top target for Republicans next year. A few days after he took office in January, conservative interest groups began airing television ads in his district trying to connect him to President Obama's policies.

Goode's decision to file with the FEC was first reported today in The Hill newspaper, which covers Capitol Hill. Although he can now legally raise money, Goode has yet to state publicly whether he plans to run again.

The three Democratic activists and bloggers who founded the "Draft James Webb" movement in 2006, which arguably is one of the reasons Democrats won back control of the U.S. Senate that year, announced today they are endorsing Terry McAuliffe's bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.

In a posting on the Blue Virginia blog, Josh Chernila, Lee Diamond and Lowell Feld said they are impressed with McAuliffe's message and his chances for success this fall against former attorney general Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP nominee.

"McAuliffe has a solid grasp of issues, takes strong progressive stands and is able to communicate and fund his message," Chernila said.

In recent months, McAuliffe has been making an aggressive push to win over liberal bloggers in Virginia, a state with some of the most active state-level Democratic blogs in the country.

Feld was one the founders and longtime keepers of the popular Raising Kaine blog, which disbanded after the November 2008 election. Feld, a longtime party activist, now operates the Blue Virginia blog. Feld said he finds McAuliffe to be an "engaging, smart determined, focused, positive person" and also a "surprisingly strong pragmatic progressive with a working-class, populist streak."

With the three Democratic candidates for governor battling for their party's nomination, GOP candidate Robert F. McDonnell was in a posture that many statewide candidates can only dream about.

McDonnell is running unopposed for his party's nomination and has all spring to prepare for the general election as the Democrats attack one another. He also appeared to have the luxury of a unified conservative base that is relatively enthusiastic about his candidacy, leaving him the freedom to reach out to moderate swing voters who might decide the November election.

Despite all this, the McDonnell campaign apparently couldn't resist wading into an ugly, internal party battle over Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick's fitness to serve as chairman of the Virginia Republican Party.

McDonnell joined in efforts to oust the party leader. Frederick (Prince William) has vowed to fight for his job. The looming battle could set up the kind of split that McDonnell and GOP leaders worked so hard to avoid.

C. Richard Cranwell, the chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party, has decided he will seek reelection as chairman when the state central committee meets in June.

Cranwell initially had been planning on giving up the job he's held since 2005. But in a letter to Democratic officials sent today, Cranwell said he wants to run again because it is a "critical time in Virginia history."

"This November, we will face a stark choice between one of the three qualified Democrats who will continue to move Virginia forward and a Republican candidate who threatens to move us back to the failed days of the Gilmore administration," Cranwell wrote.

Cranwell also appears to be taking advantage of the upheaval within the Republican Party of Virginia.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe unveiled his detailed energy proposal today, the first section of what he is calling his "business plan for Virginia."

At an event in Richmond, McAuliffe said he's got "big ideas" to make Virginia energy efficient and to grow the state's economy through the creation of green jobs.

"The is the most aggressive plan that has been put out in Virginia and one of the most aggressive plans in the country," McAuliffe said. He later added, "I don't want to follow other states, I want to lead other states. It's time for Virginia to be the number one renewable energy state in the country."

McAuliffe wants to require that 25 percent of the state's energy needs come from renewable energy by 2025. He also wants to offer new incentives to businesses that purchase renewable energy equipment such as solar panels. McAuliffe would put a heavy emphasis on biofuels, including trying to require that non-food biofuels be blended in all gasoline products.

Former attorney general Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP nominee for governor, said today he will campaign vigorously against efforts in Congress to approve the Employee Free Choice Act that would make it easier to form a union.

In a conference call with reporters, McDonnell said the proposed legislation would undermine Virginia's status as a right-to-work state.

"I have come to say today this is not good for Virginia, this is not good for our free enterprise system," McDonnell said. " We don't want to turn Virginia into southern Michigan."

Under the legislation, which is a top priority of organized labor, workers could decide to unionize without holding secret elections. McDonnell said the bill "goes very, very much against the spirit of American democracy."

McDonnell's statements could help him win over some members of the state's influential business community. Earlier today, a group of business leaders from Virginia traveled to Washington to lobby Congress against the bill.

The GOP leaders in the state Senate have endorsed the effort to oust Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (Prince William) as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

In a letter to Mike Thomas, vice chairman of the state party, the Senate GOP leaders said Frederick's "lack of judgment was hurting" the party.

"An overwhelming majority of our caucus has expressed concern over the state of affairs at the Republican Party of Virginia in recent months and has lost confidence in Delegate Frederick's leadership," the letter states. "Heading into such an important year, it is critical that our state party have the full confidence of our candidates, our elected officials, and our grassroots. Like you, we are convinced that the only way to ensure this change is a change in leadership at RPV."

The letter was signed by Sen. Minority Leader Thomas K. Norment, Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Stephen D. Newman, Sen. Ken Stolle (R-Virginia Beach), Sen. Walter A. Stosch (R-Henrico) and Senate GOP whips, Mark D. Obenshain and Frank W. Wagner. Last week, former attorney general Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP nominee for governor, also endorsed the effort to remove Frederick.

Frederick declined to comment today.

Despite the attempted coup to oust him as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R-Prince William) moved today to strengthen the state party's fundraising efforts.

Frederick announced today he is appointing David K. Rensin, one the top GOP donors in Virginia, to be the party's new finance chairman.

Rensin, a technology mogul, has donated more than $1.5 million to GOP candidates in Virginia since 2007. He was the single largest GOP donor during the 2007 campaigns for the House and Senate, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Rensin, president of Herndon-based RealityMobile, has strong ties to the conservative wing of the party. He is also Frederick's top donor, giving him $120,000 over the past two years, according to VPAP.

"I can't express enough how excited I am that my good friend and dedicated supporter of our Republican team, Dave Rensin, has accepted this critical role within our Party," Frederick said. "The 2009 elections will be momentous both for the future of Virginia and our nation."

Rensin will replace Walter M. Curt, a wealthy businessman who stepped down as finance chairman in January.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) will continue to operate his Virginia political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward, even has he expands into his new role as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Now that the legislative session is over, the state PAC will begin raising money to try to influence the outcome of state races.

"We finished our year plan and we will begin our effort," said Charlie Kelly, executive director of Moving Virginia Forward. "We are in the organizing stages."

One of the first changes at the PAC will be a new executive director. Dave Brooks, the PAC's finance director, will be taking over from Kelly as the executive director. It's unclear whether Kelly plans to remain in Richmond or move into a new role with Kaine at the DNC.

Legal experts say Kaine will have to work hard to keep his Virginia PAC seperate from his DNC activities. In Virginia, politicians can raise unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations and unions. But when he is raising money for the national party, Kaine cannot solicit corporate donors and can collect no more than $15,000 a year from a political action committee and $30,400 from an individual.

The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star is reporting that Stafford County Supervisor George Schwartz has dropped his bid to challenge House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) this year.

Last month, Schwartz entered the race by saying he was "ready for the next challenge" and wanted to go to Richmond to take on "special interests."

Democrats quickly took notice of Schwartz's campaign. Although Howell represents a GOP-leaning district, President Obama received 50 percent of the vote in it last year.

According to the Free-Lance Star, Schwartz said today he is dropping out of the race because the campaign "was overtaking his work as a supervisor." He said he cannot run a "targeted, full-time race" while simultaneously tending to county business, according to the newspaper.

Its unclear if any other prominent Stafford County Democrat will step in to challenge Howell.

If there is one person who is probably paying close attention to the race for the GOP nomination for attorney general, it's Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R).

After deciding last year not to run for governor this year, Bolling will be the early favorite to win the GOP nomination for governor in 2013. But Bolling's path to the nomination could hinge on whether a Republican wins this year's race for attorney general. If recent history is any guide, a Republican attorney general will also be a strong contender for the nomination for governor in 2013.

But John Brownlee, a GOP candidate for attorney general, pledged over the weekend he will not challenge Bolling in 2013 if he is elected this year.

"If Bill and I are both fortunate enough to win this November, I will be prepared to endorse Bill for Governor the moment he decides to run for that office, and I would be happy to stand for reelection as Attorney General in 2013," Brownlee said.

One of Brownlee's rival for the GOP nomination for attorney general, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (Fairfax), counters it is "a bit presumptuous" for Brownlee to already be talking about 2013. Cuccinelli declined to pledge he wouldn't challenge Bolling in 2013.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran will launch his first radio ad tomorrow, according to sources to familiar with his strategy.

The ad will target African-American voters in Hampton Roads. In the ad, former delegate Mary Christian of Hampton praises Moran for his service.

"As someone who served side-by-side with Brian for more than a decade, I can tell you personally that he's always been there and will always be there for us," said Christian, who in 1985 was elected the first African-American delegate from Hampton since Reconstruction. "Brian Moran grew up working class and he knows what it means to struggle."

Moran's decision to launch a radio campaign comes six weeks after Terry McAuliffe, also a candidate for the nomination, begain airing radio and television ads in Hampton Roads. McAuliffe's ads have also largely been targeted at black voters.

David M. Foster, a Republican candidate for attorney general, claims he's won a majority of the delegates to the state GOP convention from Virginia Beach.

Foster said Virginia Beach will have the second highest number of total delegates to convention on May 29 to 30 behind Fairfax County.

I'm excited that our campaign is continuing to build on the momentum we started in Alexandria," said Foster, referring to his claim that he also won a majority of delegates from Alexandria. "This victory in Virginia Beach should make it clear that Republicans statewide are responding to my message of common sense conservative solutions to the real problems Virginians face."

More than 50 local leaders from Virginia called on former attorney general Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP nominee for governor, to pledge he would accept federal money from the stimulus package that was recently signed into law by President Obama.

In a letter and later conference call, which was organized by the Democratic Party of Virginia, the local leaders said "our cities and counties depend on this immediate economic investment." The local leaders were responding to recent statements by McDonnell that the stimulus "would not be good long term for America."

But in a meeting with Washington Post editors and reporters on Thursday, McDonnell said he would accept the federal money if he is elected governor.

"The money is coming from Virginia taxpayers, frankly it's coming from the children of Virginia taxpayers," McDonnell said. "I think we ought to take it to the maximum degree as possible."

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said last night he thinks there is a 40 percent chance his party will pick up the six seats needed this fall to retake control of the House of Delegates.

In a wide ranging interview with Washington Post editors and reporters, Kaine conceded Democrats face an uphill task this year to retake the House but said the odds are not daunting enough to dissuade him from taking on the challenge. Kaine noted, at this stage of the 2007 cycle, few would have predicted Democrats would have been able to retake the state Senate. Democrats retook the Senate that year after they picked up four seats.

"What are the chances on the House side that we are going to win? I would say maybe 40 percent," Kaine said. "But that is a good enough percentage to say 'lets go after it and who knows, we might get a break or two with retirements. We might get a break or two in a primary'."

In order to the take the House, Virginia Democrats would likely have to win at least two of the three GOP-held House seats in Fairfax County, make gains in Hampton Roads and pull off one or two upsets in conservative southern Virginia. But House Republicans are vowing they will be on offensive this year and plan to work hard to try unseat several Democratic incumbents, including two newly Democratic delegates in Hampton Roads.

Kaine is more optimistic that Democrats can win this year's governor's race, but he expects a heated primary that may result in him playing the role of peacemaker.

Former delegate Brian Moran and his wife, Karyn, are on separate campaign swings this week through Southwest Virginia as he tries to reinforce an image that he can compete in every part of the state.

Moran, who lives in Alexandria, plans stops in more than a half-dozen cities and counties between now and Friday. At his first stop today in Pulaski County, Moran was endorsed by Commonwealth's Attorney Mike Fleenor and Sheriff Jim Davis.

"Brian has fought alongside us for over a decade; he's no stranger to Pulaski Democrats," Fleenor said. "He fought alongside Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and is ready to fight for the hard-working men and women of this region in the Governor's office."

At an event tomorrow in Smyth County, Moran will be joined by his wife. On Monday, Karyn Moran kicked off her own six-day tour of Southwest Virginia.

The Democratic-controlled Senate has failed to act on a bill that would outlaw fundraising for political candidates and causes at the Executive Mansion, which is the oldest occupied governor's mansion in the United States.

Two weeks ago, the House unanimously approved a bill by House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) that banned the solicitation of funds at the mansion for any purpose "other than for charity."

Griffith put in the bill after The Farm Team, a political action committee formed to help Democratic women seek elected office, posted a solicitation on a liberal fundraising Web site last month seeking donations from $25 to $1,000 to attend a series of events in Richmond, including at the Governor's Mansion.

Officials at the Farm Team quickly admitted they made a mistake by posting the solicitation. They said they never intended to give off the appearance they planned to raise money at the mansion. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) also said at the time he would never allow money to be raised at the mansion for a political committee.

But Griffith pushed for the bill anyway, saying it was time to put into law the long-standing practice of governors not using the mansion to raise money for political organizations.

Former delegate Brian Moran, a candidate for governor, and Jody Wagner, a candidate for lieutenant governor, came out on top at this weekend's Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee straw poll in Fairfax County.

According to party leaders, Moran won the straw poll with 83 votes. State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) came in second with 43 votes. Terry McAuliffe, also a Democratic candidate for governor, received 33 votes.

Deeds and Moran spoke at the event. McAuliffe was invited to speak, but he did not attend.

In the lieutenant governor's race, Wagner beat her nearest opponent by 18 votes. Wagner received 62 votes compared to Jon Bowerbank's 44 votes. Pat Edmonson, a Virginia Beach school board member, came in third with 18 votes. Attorney Michael Signer received 15 votes. Richmond-based political strategist Rich Savage got 10 votes.

The race for the GOP nomination for Attorney General is underway because local county and city committees have begun holding mass meetings to determine their nominees to the state convention in late May.

The county-by-county contest can be maddening for journalists and political observers to follow, but Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax) claims he has jumped into an early lead in the hunt for delegates.

In an email to supporters, Cuccinelli said he is almost running even with one of his rivals for the nomination, Dave Foster, in Alexandria. In Henry County, Cuccinelli said he and another GOP candidate for Attorney General, John Brownlee, are also locked in a close fight for delegates.

In Bath County, Cuccinelli said he has secured 80 percent of the delegates. He also claims an 80 percent showing in Waynesboro. In Lancaster County, Cuccinelli said "only two delegates of over 30 are committed to any other candidate."

The Washington Area Building Trades Council announced on Friday it is endorsing Del. Steve Shannon (D-Fairfax) in the race for Attorney General.

The Council is made up a 15 unions, including workers in the Washington area who serve as plumbers, electricians, painters and roofers.

"Steve Shannon has fought for working families since his first day in the General Assembly, just as he did as a Virginia prosecutor," said Vance Ayres, Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Washington D.C. Building Trades Council. "He will be a leader for Virginia families as our next Attorney General."

Shannon, who is so far running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, also recently picked up support from Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones and Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim.

Many of Prince William County's Democratic leaders today endorsed Brian Moran's bid for governor.

Although Republicans still dominate local government in Prince William County, Moran picked up support from county supervisors John Jenkins and Frank Principi, Del. Paul Nichols, former delegate David Brickley, Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta and former county attorney Sharon Pandak. Pete Frisbie, the chairman of the county Democratic committee, and party activist and former supervisor Hilda Barg also endorsed Moran.

In a series of speeches inside a fire station in Dale City, the party leaders said Moran was the best candidate for governor because he is "grounded" in Virginia and has a record of public service. They also stressed they believe Moran is the Democrat who can win Prince William County, a key general election battleground, in the fall.

"Twenty years ago, he was out there fighting as a Democrat when it was really hard to fight as a Democrat," Pandak said.

When he took the microphone, Moran talked about his plans to create more jobs and invest in health care.

"I believe this race is a test for our party and what the Democratic Party of Virginia stands for," Moran said.

It's no secret that Virginia Republicans are hungry to win this year's governor's race, and they say they think Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell will be a formidable GOP nominee.

Given McDonnell's expected strengths, some Virginia Democrats may decide to support the Democratic candidate who they think has the best chance to defeat him. But Democratic activists are divided about whether Terry McAuliffe, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath) or former delegate Brian Moran stands the best chance against McDonnell.

So, to help Democrats figure out what the opposition is thinking, Virginia Notebook spent a day asking randomly selected Virginia GOP leaders which Democratic candidate they fear most as an opponent.

Here are some of their answers. Yes, these are Republicans, so Democrats will have to decide whether the answers reflect a bit of reverse psychology.

The Virginia Professional Firefighters Association, an influential labor organization, officially endorsed Terry McAuliffe in the Democratic primary for governor today at an event in Richmond.

R. Michael Mohler, the president of the association, said the union trusts McAuliffe to create more jobs as governor and run a vigorous campaign this year that will also help Democrats retake control of the House of Delegates.

"We understand the connection between a strong economy and our jobs," Mohler told about 100 union members, who were wearing yellow "Firefighters for McAuliffe" t-shirts. "We have to turn the power of the legislature over to the Democrats. We intend to take on Bill Howell ....We are going to take him out. The person who can do that is with us today, the person with us today obviously has the financial resources, he's got the network, he's got the vision, he's got the energy to get out the message - its about jobs."

During his speech, McAuliffe pledged to create more jobs and talked about the day he spent working as a firefighter in Fairfax County (see video below).

Terry McAuliffe has written the Democratic Party of Virginia a check for $74,750 for the 39 tables he purchased at last week's Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner, according to fundraising records.

The money, which came from McAuliffe's campaign account, amounts to one-tenth of the total money the state party claims it raised at the dinner.

Excluding transfers from Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's (D) political action committee and other national and local Democratic committees, McAuliffe's check appears to rank in the top 15 in terms of largest contribution the party has received at one time dating back to 1997, according to records available on the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks money in state politics.

McAuliffe apparently did not get a break on the cost of the tables even though he helped the state party raise $100,000 last fall so it could buy the building that houses its Richmond headquarters.

The Virginia Professional Firefighters Association, an influential labor organization, will apparently endorse Terry McAuliffe in the Democratic primary for governor, according to sources familiar with the decision.

In recent days, the leadership of the VPFF has been sending signals to Brian Moran and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, also candidates for the nomination, that the firefighters union was going to get behind McAuliffe.

Now, the Henrico Professional Firefighters Union has a statement on its website saying the state association will make its endorsement of McAuliffe official on Wednesday at the State Capitol.

"President Mohler has notified the other candidates that we are endorsing Terry McAuliffe ...We need as many members there as possible," the announcement states. "We have a goal of assembling 200 people (please bring friends, family or anyone else willing to come.) We will have the yellow and gold trademark t-shirts for people to wear. I understand that Terry will be filming this event as part of a television ad that he will be running throughout his campaign."

The Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks money in state politics, is keeping tabs on who has filed to run for the House of Delegates this year.

Among the more notable entrants is Lionell Spruil Jr., the son of Del. Lionell Spruill Sr. (D-Chesepeake). Delegate Spruill's son is challenging Del. Algie T. Howell Jr. (D-Norfolk) in the Democratic Primary.

"I've been noticing and listening to a lot of the people in the community that I live and they are not really happy with the performance of our current legislature," said Lionell Spruill Jr. "They want a real leader. I am not saying (Howell's) not that, but I think they deserve better, and I am offering it to them."

When he was asked if his father will help him try to unseat Howell, Lionell Spruill Jr. said, "that's between my father and I."

There is also an interesting race shaping up in Virginia Beach. Peter Schmidt, who headed up the Department of Environmental Quality under former governor George Allen (R), has left the Republican Party and is now running for the House of Delegates as a Democrat.

Schmidt, who operates a concete business in Hampton Roads, plans to challenge Del. Harry R. "Bob" Purkey (R-Virginia Beach).

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, the chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, and his wife, Amy, may have figured out a way to get around the prohibition against raising money during the legislative session.

On Friday, Frederick announced in an email that he will not seek reelection this year but he encouraged supporters to lobby Amy to seek the GOP nomination to replace him. Frederick directed his supporters to www.voteamy.com "to send her your encouragement before she makes a final decision about whether to enter the race."

On the VoteAmy website, supporters are also asked to make a financial contribution to Virginia's Future PAC. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks money in state politics, Frederick set up the PAC in 2004 to give out campaign funds to Republicans. Last year, Frederick used the PAC to help finance his bid for state party chairman.

With Frederick now directing supporters to a website that is collecting money for a Virginia political committee, there are questions about whether he is keeping to the spirit of the law barring state office holders from raising money during the legislative session.

Style Weekly, Richmond's alternative newspaper, has put together a video of the speeches given by the four candidates for governor at the Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association dinner.

At the event, which was held Wednesday, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the soon to be GOP nominee for governor, and the three Democratic candidates all roasted each other, the press and themselves.

Style Weekly offers up snippets of some of the jokes, including the harsh joke that McAuliffe landed on Joe Trippi, who is one of Moran's senior advisors.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, has filed a financial disclosure form, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

The documents show McAuliffe has a net worth of at least $5.8 million. But McAuliffe is likely worth considerably more because candidates in Virginia do not have to report the exact value of an investment that tops $250,000.

McAuliffe reports 21 investments of at least $250,000. McAuliffe also has six investments whose value range from $50,001 to $250,000 and six whose value range from $10,001 to $50,000

According to published reports, McAuliffe is likely worth at least of tens of millions of dollars. As the campaign unfolds, how McAuliffe made his fortune will likely become a big part of the debate.

By comparison, Democratic candidate Brian J. Moran has only two investments whose value range from $50,001 to $250,000. Moran also reports one asset of between $10,000 and $50,000.

Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), also a candidate for the nomination, reports two investments whose value range from $10,001 to $50,000.

The four candidates for governor will speak tonight at the annual Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association dinner in Richmond.

Attorney General Robert McDonnell, the soon-to-be GOP nominee, and all three Democrats vying for their party's nomination will address about 120 State House reporters, legislators and their aides, political consultants and lobbyists.

Several other candidates for statewide office and the leadership of both the Virginia Republican and Democratic parties are also expected to attend.

The event marks the second time that all four candidates for governor will share the same stage. They also spoke to the Richmond press corps in December at the annual Associated Press Day.

At tonight's dinner, former Washington Post reporter Robert H. Melton and the late James H. Latimer of the Richmond Times Dispatch will be inducted into the association's Hall of Fame, which honors journalists who excelled in coverage of state politics and government.

Their names will be enshrined at the press room in the State Capitol.

Most of the elected officials who represent Petersburg, a majority black city south of Richmond, announced today they are supporting Brian Moran's bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Moran was endorsed by: Petersburg Mayor Annie M. Mickens, Vice Mayor Horace Webb, Sheriff Vanessa Crawford, state Del. Rosalyn Dance and three city council members.

"We face tough challenges in the next few years and we need someone with a proven record of fighting for people as our next Governor," Mickens said.

Although it has only 32,000 residents, Petersburg is an important component of the Democratic base in Virginia. Last year, President Obama won 89 percent of the vote in Petersburg, where African Americans account for 80 percent of the population.

On Tuesday, Moran was also endorsed by a prominent African-American official in Richmond, Commonwealth Attorney Michael N. Herring.

A week ago, Virginia Notebook outlined 14 questions that would be answered at the state Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner, which took place Saturday at the Richmond Convention Center.

Former president Bill Clinton headlined the event, but much of the focus was on the party's candidates for governor: Terry McAuliffe, Brian Moran and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath).

Here are the answers:

President Obama and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine will pay a visit to the site of the final segment of the Fairfax County Parkway tomorrow in an effort to highlight the potential impact of billions of new dollars for infrastructure projects.

Obama and Kaine, who is also the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, will go to the Engineer Proving Ground, where the last leg of the parkway is under construction.

Construction of new roads and repair of old ones has been a struggle in Virginia and elsewhere as states find themselves without the funds to pay for the expensive construction.

Obama has said the infrastructure spending in the stimulus bill that passed the Senate and House in different versions would help create millions of jobs.

Two Virginia Democratic congressmen indicated today they were uncomfortable with Brian Moran's attacks on Terry McAuliffe at the state party's Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner

Although he never mentioned McAuliffe by name, Moran took multiple swipes at McAuliffe.

When asked if Moran's criticisms of McAuliffe during the dinner were appropriate, U.S. Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va) replied: "Primaries can be hard fought and rough-in-tumble affairs and my own experience is trying to stay positive is the better course in the long run."

Connolly, who is neutral in the primary, declined further comment.

U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott noted there was a smattering of boos when Moran stated during his speech, "We need a fighter, not a fundraiser."

"Did you hear the public reaction?" Scott asked. "McAuliffe, and to a certain extent, Deeds were positive, had a positive agenda and Moran when he gave his criticisms he got booed. Have you been to many JJ Dinners? Do you ever remember any speaker getting booed?" Scott added he hopes all three Democratic candidates will rally behind the eventual nominee.

But U.S. Rep. James P. Moran (D-Va.), said his brother, Brian, had "the right message."

Virginia Democratic leaders say the Republicans members of Virginia's congressional delegation boycotted a meeting with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today at the Governor's Mansion.

Kaine hosted the congressional delegation for an annual meeting to talk about state and federal issues. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and James Webb, both Democrats, and five of the six Democratic House members from Virginia attended. But Kaine said the state's five GOP House members failed to show because the topic of the meeting was President Obama's proposed stimulus package.

"Virginia has had a long history of bipartisan work when it comes to issues that transcends politics and affect the people of Virginia," Webb said. "This is the way that a delegation should work, and for the Republican members of this delegation to decide to boycott a meeting that would benefit their constituents through their participation is something that I think is very regrettable, and I would hope we would not see something like this in the future."

The GOP members who did not show were not immediately available to comment.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, turns 52 today.

To celebrate, McAuliffe will be hosting a "Birthday Bash" fundraiser Tuesday night at the Westin Arlington Gateway. Tickets range from $52 for "young professionals" to $5,200 for a host sponsor.

Virginia politicians have been mixing birthdays and fundraisers for years. In September, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran celebrated his 49th birthday by hosting a fundraiser.

Last year, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, also a candidate for the nomination, held a $100 a plate fundraiser to celebrate his 50th birthday. Deeds turned 51 last month.

There will also likely be plenty of GOP money raised around June 15. Both Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor, and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), who is running for reelection, celebrate their birthdays on that day. Bolling will be turning 52 while McDonnell will be turning 55.

Sen. Mark R. Warner (D) spent $12.5 million last year in his successful campaign against Republican James S. Gilmore III, according to recently released campaign finance reports.

But Warner still has $1.1 million in the bank, even though he is not up for reelection until 2014. Warner totally dominated Gilmore in the money race last year. Gilmore raised and spent about $2.4 million on his campaign.

In the 11th Congressional District, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va) raised and spent about $2 million in his race. Connolly ended the year with $25,000 in the bank.

In the 5th Congressional District, Rep Tom Perriello (D-Va.) raised and spent about $1.8 million in his surprise upset of former congressman Virgil Goode, a Republican. Goode raised $1.9 million, but still reports a balance of $165,000. Perriello won by just 727 votes, which raises the question of whether Goode could be prevailed if he had just spent all the money he raised.

At the Jefferson Jackson Day dinner last night, former delegate Brian Moran tried to pivot the race for the Democratic nomination for governor back on his terms, delivering a solid address that positioned himself as the politically mature, safe candidate in the race.

In a speech that took a surprising number of swipes as his rival for the nomination, Terry McAuliffe, Moran argued the stakes are too high for Democrats to risk the party's future with the new kid on the block.

"This campaign will be about who can win in November," Moran said. "It took us a generation to build this party. ... This was no overnight success -- the real leaders of our party served and fought for people first. "

A few hours later, McAuliffe was trying to send a signal that he, not Moran, will be the one defining the terms of who prevails in the primary. At a sweaty nightclub in downtown Richmond, there was McAuliffe with both hands above his head dancing to Hip Hop music.

Some Republicans are questioning whether House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) was worried about his own reelection chances when he decided to craft a deal with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) to ban smoking in most bars and restaurants.

According to GOP delegates, Howell stressed during a closed-door House Republican caucus meeting Wednesday that the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and American Lung Association had dispatched a paid organizer to his district. Officials close to the organizations confirm that an organizer had been working in Howell's district to "educate" the public about his previous opposition to an indoor smoking ban.

Howell's district, which includes parts of Fredericksburg and Stafford County, has traditionally voted Republican. But in the November election, President Obama received 50 percent of the vote while Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) carried it with 62 percent of the vote.

Other Republicans caution that Howell's decision to back the ban had little to do with his own campaign this year.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the soon-to-be GOP nominee for governor, will not be supporting the proposed smoking ban floating through the General Assembly, according to his staff.

J. Tucker Martin, a McDonnell spokesman, said the attorney general is happy that House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) tried to work out a compromise but believes 'the free market" should decide if smoking is banned in bars and restaurants.

"He generally believes this is an issue that should be solved by the free market and not government," Martin said.

McDonnell's stance could embolden some House and Senate Republicans to vote against the proposal. It also keeps McDonnell in good standing with his party's conservative base, many of whom are outraged that Howell brokered a deal with Kaine.

Del. Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake) apologized today for saying on the House floor yesterday that he doesn't like to hear prayers of different religions, "especially those of the Muslim faith that I don't care too much about."

Spruill, who is also a member of the Democratic National Committee, issued his apology moments after his employer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran, urged him to do so.

Beside being a delegate and a DNC member, Spruill is a paid consultant for the Moran campaign when the General Assembly is not in session. Moran is paying Spruill $7,500 a month to do outreach in the African-American community, although his salary is suspended during the 45-day legislative session.

During a House floor debate Wednesday, Spruill spoke out against a bill that would allow state police chaplains to use "Jesus" in public prayers. After Spruill's comment about Muslims were reported on in the Virginian Pilot, some Democrats and Ben Tribbett, who runs the Not Larry Sabato blog, sought to link him to Moran.

In a statement, Spruill said "the intent of my comments was misinterpreted."

Could Del. Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake), who serves as senior advisor to former delegate Brian Moran, turn into a distraction for his boss' campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor?

During a debate on the House floor yesterday, Spruill spoke out about a proposed law that would allow state police chaplains to use Jesus' name in public prayers.

According to the Virginian Pilot, Spruill announced his opposition to the law but then said he doesn't like to hear prayers of different religions, "especially those of the Muslim faith that I don't care too much about."

When the Pilot asked him later about his remarks, Spruill said he didn't mean to offend Muslims but maintains he doesn't like how they end their prayer.

The Pilot article did not mention Spruill's connection to Moran. But the episode underscores the potential pitfalls associated with Moran's decision to put another elected official on his payroll.

The Virginia Democratic Party will have its annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner Saturday at the Richmond Convention Center. Former president Bill Clinton will headline the fundraiser.

A who's who of elected officials and party leaders and activists will attend.

But the focus will be on the three Democratic candidates for governor: Terry McAuliffe, Brian J. Moran and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath).

Here are 15 questions that the dinner should help to answer. Check back next week for the answers.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, will expand his television advertising campaign to the Richmond market tomorrow, according to sources familar with his ad buy.

McAuliffe's Richmond ad buy, however, is relatively small. Sources say he purchased about $15,000 in airtime.

McAuliffe kicked off his media campaign last week by buying $30,000 in air time in the Norfolk market. On Sunday, McAuliffe aired an ad in Hampton Roads during the Super Bowl. McAuliffe is also airing radio ads in Richmond and Norfolk. McAuliffe's rivals for the Democratic nomination, Brian Moran and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), have not yet started a paid media campaign.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, released two new radio ads today that are aimed at winning over African-American voters.

The ads, which focus on McAuliffe's pledge to create more jobs, will air on black radio stations in Richmond and Norfolk. In both spots, McAuliffe tries to preempt critics who argue he does not have deep enough roots in state and local politics.

"Virginia has been my home for nearly twenty years; it's where my wife Dorothy and I are raising our five children," McAuliffe states. "I've listened to your needs and know what families are facing."

Sen. John S. Edwards (D-Roanoke) said today he is strongly considering entering this year's race for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.

"I am leaning towards it," said Edwards, adding he will officially announce his plans when the legislative session ends Feb. 28.

In 2001, Edwards unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for attorney general. He also flirted with a run in 2005. Last month, Edwards was spotted at a Richmond restaurant plotting campaign strategy.

If he enters the race, Edwards will face Del. Steve Shannon (D-Fairfax) in the June 9 primary. Shannon has already amassed a hefty war chest; he had about $750,000 in the bank as of Dec. 31. But Edwards said he still thinks there is room for another candidate in the race, although he added "I have nothing bad to say against (Shannon) at all."

If Edwards runs, it will be the first time in decades that there will Democratic nomination fights for all three statewide offices.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) gave $25,000 last week to Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (Springfield), the GOP nominee in tomorrow's contest for Board Chairman.

Herrity has not yet reported the donation to the State Board of Elections, but McDonnell advisors say it was delivered last week. The contest between Herrity and Supervisor Sharon S. Bulova (D-Braddock), the Democratic nominee, has become a crucial grudge match between Virginia Republicans and Democrats.

A Herrity win would be an embarrassing setback for Virginia Democrats as they prepare for this year's races for governor and the House of Delegates.

McDonnell, the GOP nominee for governor, has little to lose by taking an active role in Herrity's race. Considering the Democratic tilt of Fairfax County, the pressure is on Virginia Democrats to pull out a victory for Bulova. But if Herrity pulls out a surprise win, McDonnell can take part of the credit.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, aired a campaign commercial in Hampton Roads during the Super Bowl, according to a GOP strategist who saw the ad.

The 30-second ad aired on Norfolk's NBC affiliate at 9:07 p.m. just after the conclusion of the 3rd Quarter. A McAuliffe spokesman confirmed the ad buy, but was unable to say how much it cost to purchase the airtime.

McAuliffe began airing television ads in Hampton Roads last week, which is believed to be the earliest that any statewide candidate in Virginia has ever launched a paid media campaign.

McAuliffe now also probably becomes the first statewide candidate to ever air a campaign commercial during the Super Bowl.

Last year, President Obama made news when he aired a commerical in some markets during the Super Bowl, which occurred a few days before Super Tuesday. In McAuliffe's case, he is advertising for a Democratic primary that is still more than four months away.

Former delegate Brian Moran may have resigned from the General Assembly, but he's still keeping close tabs on one of his rivals for the Democratic nomination for governor, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath).

At yesterday's Senate Transportation Committee meeting, a Moran campaign volunteer had a video camera fixed on Deeds for nearly two hours as he and other senators considered legislation.

At least one Democrat complained about the tracker, saying it's inappropriate for Moran to be badgering a fellow Democrat while he's trying to do official business.

But Peter Jackson, a Deeds spokesman, brushed off the incident, calling it part of "the modern campaign." Jesse Ferguson, a Moran spokesman, also claims that Deeds had previously filmed Moran during last year's legislative session.

If he hasn't already, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) may want to read former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe's book, "What A Party."

Last week, Kaine took over as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. But in his book, which was published in 2007, McAuliffe writes chairmen such as Kaine face "a miserable job" because they serve under a president of the same party.

"You have no autonomy or power; your're just expected to do whatever the White House political operation tells you to do, and you're not really a spokesman for the party since obviously the President has that job covered, " wrote McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor who has held a number of positions within the national party since the 1980s.

Former delegate Brian Moran, a Democratic candidate for governor, released an ambitious plan to create tens of thousands of new jobs by positioning Virginia as a leader in efforts to protect the environment.

At an event in Norfolk, which was followed by a conference call with reporters, Moran called for a major expansion of wind and solar power. As governor, Moran said he would also push to require that 25 percent of the state's energy comes from renewable sources by 2025 and offer extensive incentives to companies and individuals who invest in green buildings and high-mileage vehicles. He also proposed the creation of The Center for Green Technology to "jumpstart" university research and help launch energy technology parks.

"It certainly will be the most progressive, innovative job creating plan you will see in this campaign," said Moran, who later added, "The connection between energy and our economy has never been so profound."

Last year, former delegate Brian Moran and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) both took leading roles in pushing for Alicia's Law, which provides funding for two Internet Crimes Against Children law enforcement task forces.

The law is named after Alicia Kozakiewicz, who at age 13 was abducted and assaulted in a Herndon basement by a man she met online. Last year, Moran joined Kozakiewicz at a press conference in Richmond to push for the law.

But because Moran left the House to focus on his bid for governor, Deeds had the spotlight to himself at another event with Kozakiewicz today at the State House. Kozakiewicz and her mother, both of whom live in Pittsburgh, were back in Richmond because there is no funding for Alicia's Law in next year's budget proposal. Deeds, who was joined by Del. Phillip Hamilton (R-Newport News), vows he will find $1.5 million to continue the program, which was also praised by law enforcement officials.

"This is a drop in the bucket," said Deeds, also a Democratic candidate for governor. "Even if it saves one child, one Alicia, it's worth it."

Virginia Sen. Mark R. Warner (D), who made a fortune in the communications industry, is the wealthiest freshman member of Congress, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

According to Warner's financial disclosure report, he has assets ranging from $60.6 million to $415.1 million. On average, the recently elected members of the House of Representatives and the Senate are worth $1.8 million.

"The new blood in Congress is mostly blueblood," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics. "In this troubled and troubling economy, Congress remains short on lawmakers who can personally relate to what the average American is going through financially."

Warner is now the second wealthiest member of the Senate, according to CRP. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) ranks first, listing assets ranging from $284.1 million to $388.3 million.

Kerry is married to Teresa Heinz Kerry, heiress of the Heinz Ketchup fortune.

After she almost lost a Democratic seat in a special election earlier this month, Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) will likely face an opponent in the June primary.

Democrat Ariel Gonzalez, who unsuccessfully challenged Herring for the nomination last month, announced today he is starting a "listening tour" to explore whether he will run again.

In a statement, Gonzalez noted the last election was held on 100 hours notice after Brian Moran abruptly resigned the seat to focus on his bid for governor. Only 234 voters showed up to vote to participate in the Herring-Gonzalez nomination contest.

"Voters were provided minimal time to learn the date, hours and location of the caucus," Gonzalez said. "Further, residents were given almost no opportunity to learn and understand the views and policy positions of the candidates."

The first battle of the 2009 general election campaign for governor will take place next week when voters in Fairfax County go to the polls to elect a new board chairman.

Emboldened by the near victory of a GOP House candidate in heavily Democratic Alexandria earlier this month, Virginia Republicans are hoping Fairfax Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) can defeat his Democratic opponent, Supervisor Sharon S. Bulova (Braddock), in the chairman's race.

In effort to lay the groundwork for his own campaign this fall, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) has dispatched paid canvassers and volunteers to help Herrity. By the end of the weekend, McDonnell's staff estimates they will have knocked on more than 15,000 doors. McDonnell plans to campaign with Herrity on Monday.

Not to be outdone, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe is turning his Mclean headquarters into a daily phone banking center in support of Bulova. While much of the work will be done by volunteers, McAuliffe plans to man the phones on Saturday.

McAuliffe's rivals for the nomination, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath) and former delegate Brian Moran, are also dispatching resources to Fairfax in support of Bulova.

Brian Moran's campaign is stepping up its efforts to draw contrasts with Terry McAuliffe, who is also a Democratic candidate for governor.

In a fundraising appeal sent out today, Moran strategist Mame Reiley jabbed McAuliffe for holding a fundraiser last week in New York. The email was titled "Park Avenue vs. Virginia."

"Last week, Terry McAuliffe was up on Wall Street at a glitzy Park Avenue location, collecting money while Brian Moran was announcing the boldest environmental plan of any candidate," Reiley wrote. "Yesterday, McAuliffe announced he's spending that Wall Street money on high-priced TV ads in Virginia."

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, McAuliffe raised $216,000 in 2008 from the finance and insurance industry but that does not include the donations he received last week in New York. Moran raised $139,000 from the finance and insurance industry last year.

Former President Bill Clinton attended Terry McAuliffe's fundraiser last week on Park Avenue, according to the New York Observer.

The fundraiser was hosted by Hassan Nemazee, an investment banker; Marc Lasry, a billionaire financier whose company hired Chelsea Clinton; and Douglas Band, the former president's chief counsel.

According the Observer, Clinton introduced McAuliffe at the event, telling the audience, "it was an honor and a privilege to be a supporter of Terry McAuliffe and to be in a position to return the favor that he has done for me and Hillary for so many years."

The event raised $350,000, according to the Observer.

Clinton's endorsement of McAuliffe could make Sen. R. Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran, who are also candidates in the June primary, a bit uncomfortable at next week's Jefferson Jackson Day dinner. On Sunday, the Virginia Democratic Party announced that Clinton will be the headline speaker at the dinner.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, released today the first television ad of the 2009 governor's race. The 30-second spot will air in Hampton Roads, which will be a crucial battleground in this year's campaign for the Democratic nomination.

Mo Elleithee, a McAuliffe strategist, said the campaign has purchased a "healthy" ad buy that will be followed up in the coming weeks with additional ads that will air in other parts of the state.

"I've spent four decades building businesses and creating jobs," McAuliffe says in the ad. "Now, I'm running for Governor because I know we can create thousands more right here. I'll make it my job to protect your job - and get Virginia's economy moving."

Former President Bill Clinton will headline the state Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Day fundraising dinner next month, party leaders told supporters in an email today.

The dinner, which the GOP criticizes because it takes place during the legislative session when elected officials are barred from raising money, will occur Feb. 7 at the Richmond Convention Center.

In 2007, President Obama was the featured speaker. Before that event, Obama picked up an endorsement from Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D). Last year, the dinner took place days before Virginia's presidential primary. Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was also a Democratic candidate for president, both spoke at the dinner.

This year's event will likely be dominated by politicking by the three Democratic candidates for governor, Brian Moran, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath) and Terry McAuliffe.

Although he has not yet endorsed him, Bill Clinton and McAuliffe are close friends. Democratic officials say Clinton has been asked that he not speak about the governor's race, but his appearence could help McAuliffe ease any remaining tension between Clinton and Obama supporters related to last year's primary. McAuliffe had been the national chairman of Hillary Clinton's campaign, and some Obama supporters have been slow in warming up to him.

State Democratic officials tried to keep Clinton's appearance a closely held secret until today. Two weeks ago, party officials denied in an interview that Clinton was among the possible speakers at this year's dinner.

Mitch Stewart, who implemented President Barack Obama's winning strategy in Virginia last year, is taking over the remnants of Obama's national presidential campaign.

Stewart, who helped Obama win 53 percent of the vote in Virginia, will be the director of "Organizing for America." The group, which will oversee the Obama campaign's massive database, will partner with the Democratic National Committee to advance Obama's agenda and help Democrats win local, state and federal offices.

"Working in partnership we will seek to engage people in new ways and to broaden what President Obama calls the 'Coalition for Change in America," said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "I know how important it is to reach out and engage the grassroots all across a state and all across our country."

Stewart's appointment could be bad news for Virginia Republicans this year. With Kaine at the DNC and Stewart in charge of Obama's database, the GOP will have to fend off two national party figures who are well versed in what it takes to carry the state.

A Democratic State House insider reports there are five possible contenders for the party's nomination to replace Del. Albert C. Eisenberg (D-Arlington), who announced today he will not seek reelection this year.

The candidates include environmental activist and blogger Miles Grant, social services activist Patrick Hope, Democratic activist Adam Parkhomenko, Alfonso Lopez, director of Virginia's Legislative Office on Capitol Hill, and Andres Tobar, executive director of the Shirlington Employment Center.

The nominee will be heavily favored to win the general election in the overwhelmingly Democratic 47th District. If either Alfonso or Andres win, they would be the first Latino Democrat in the General Assembly.

Some of the wealthiest men in New York City will be on Park Avenue tonight to help Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, raise money for his campaign.

The fundraiser will be held at the home of Hassan Nemazee, a multimillionaire investment banker. Nemazee is chairman of Nemazee Capital. Last year, Nemazee was a co-chair of Hillary Clinton's fundraising effort for her presidential campaign.

The McAuliffe fundraiser is also being hosted by Marc and Cathy Lasry and Douglas and Lily Band, according to an invitation. Marc Lasry is founder and senior managing director of Avenue Capital Group. In 2007, Forbes Magazine ranked Lasry as the 317th wealthiest person in America, estimating he has a net worth $1.5 billion. When Chelsea Clinton graduated from Oxford, Lasry's company gave her a job.

Douglas Band also has close ties to the Clintons. Band serves as former President Clinton's chief counsel. Band joined the Clinton White House in the fall of 1995 as an unpaid intern working in the counsel's office. He became the president's personal aide full time in 1998.

The invitation does not specify the asking price for getting into the fundraiser.

Brian J. Moran, a Democratic candidate for governor, vowed today he will stop the construction of a proposed coal fired power plant in Surry County if he is elected governor.

Moran advisors say he is the first candidate for governor in modern times to oppose a new coal fired power plant, a further indication that Moran plans to aggressively pursue support from environmentalists. Moran said the plant, which has been proposed by Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, will contribute to global warming and harm the Chesapeake Bay.

"As a candidate for governor, it is important to know where the next governor will stand on important issues," Moran said a press conference this morning in front of the Department of Environmental Quality Office in Richmond. "We should be investing and developing clean sources of energy."

Terry McAuliffe has hired Elisabeth Smith to be his press secretary. Smith, who goes by Liz, will work with Delacey Skinner, McAuliffe's communications director.

Last year, Smith worked for Dan Seals, an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois. In 2006, Smith served as Sen. Claire McCaskill's (D-Mo.) press secretary.

During this year's campaign for governor of Virginia, one piece of trivia that will probably be invoked is that since Jimmy Carter was elected president in 1976, the party that has won the White House has lost the state's race for governor the next year.

But here is another tidbit that might be more relevant in this year's contest: Since 1957, no delegate or state senator has won the nomination for governor without first leaving the General Assembly to serve in a higher office.

In Virginia, where governors can run for only one term, major party nominees in modern times have been sitting or former lieutenant governors, attorneys general, congressmen or businessmen.

Brian Moran (D), who resigned last month from the House of Delegates to focus on fundraising, and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) are hoping to buck that trend. But first, they have to get past Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Democrat Greg Werkheiser is set to announce this week that he will run against Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax), a rematch of a bitter 2005 contest.

Albo won by fewer than 1,000 votes in 2005, but the Springfield-based district has favored Democrats in recent years. Obama won the district with 57 percent of the vote.

Albo and Werkheiser both expect to spend at least $1 million for the race, which sets the stage for what could be the most expensive House contest in 2009. The race could become the marquee contest in Democratic efforts to pick up the six seats needed to regain control of the House.

"I am focused on, winning so I can work with a Democratic governor, two Democratic senators, a Democratic congressman, and obviously a Democratic national administration, so I can try to help southern Fairfax county get through these very difficult economic times," said Werkheiser, who has already hired a campaign manager.

In an interview, Albo predicted he will prevail because he says he has closer ties to the Springfield-based district.

Altria, the parent company of Richmond-based Philip Morris, is hedging its bets in this year's campaign for governor.

During a one week period in mid December, Altria gave $10,000 each to the all three Democratic candidates for governor. In addition to the campaign contributions to Terry McAuliffe, Brian Moran and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), on Dec. 9 Altria also gave $10,000 to Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP nominee for governor, according to the Virginia Public Access Project

The donations came one week after Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) proposed a 30 cent increase in the state's tobacco tax. Altria did not donate to Kaine in 2008, but the company has given $20,000 this year to both House and Senate Democratic campaign committees. House Republican campaign committees also received $20,000 this year from Altria.

McDonnell, who opposes Kaine's tax increase, has collected a total of $35,000 from Altria this year. Deeds and Moran have both received a total of $15,000 this year from the company. McAuliffe has picked up $20,000, including a $10,000 donation from Michael E Szymanczyk, the chairman of Philip Morris.

Deeds was initially undecided on Kaine's tobacco tax, but said last week he is now open to supporting it. Moran has yet to take a position on the legislation. McAuliffe has said he doesn't think taxes should be raised during a recession, but quickly adds he's uncomfortable "second guessing" Kaine.

Bob Gibson, a former reporter for Charlottesville's Daily Progress who continues to blog for the newspaper, reports Terry McAuliffe showed up at last night's University of Virginia game against North Carolina.

When he took his seat, McAuliffe apparently realized he was wearing the wrong color of blue sweater for a Virginia game against the Tar Heels. So McAuliffe apparently dispatched someone to the concessions stand to buy some Virginia merchandise.

Gibson gives a first-hand account of McAuliffe being a quick study in realizing "colors matter," especially for a politician battling perceptions that he is not an authentic Virginian.

Terry McAuliffe appears to be the only Democratic candidate for governor who is having luck collecting big checks from donors during the economic downturn, according to campaign finance reports.

McAuliffe collected twice as many campaign contributions of at least $25,000 as Deeds and Moran were able to combined. The distinction is all the more striking because McAuliffe collected his money in six weeks. Moran and Deeds had six months, although both scaled back their fundraising during the fall presidential campaign.

Moran's brother, U.S. Rep. James P. Moran (D-Va.), was his largest contributor during the reporting period. James Moran's congressional campaign wrote Brian Moran a $50,000 check in mid December. Moran also collected four $25,000 contributions during the reporting period, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) has been taking subtle swipes at his rival for the Democratic nomination for governor, Brian Moran, over his decision to give up his House seat.

Deeds often notes he is "staying to fight" for Democratic principles in the General Assembly, an apparent effort to highlight Moran's choice to leave so he can campaign and fundraise.

But on the third of the legislative session, a Democratic senator stood up on floor to announce that Deeds was away on "pressing, personal business." In other words, Deeds was on the campaign trail. According to his campaign schedule, Deeds is attending a prayer service today at Dar Al-Hiraj Mosque in Fairfax County. The mosque is a focal point of Northern Virginia's politically active Muslim community.

Deeds did not miss any votes. Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax), a Deeds supporter, delayed action on bills today. The floor session lasted just 15 minutes.

If Deeds' continues to take days off, however, he could imperil Saslaw's ability to keep working control over the chamber. Democrats hold a narrow 21 to 19 Senate majority.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, already has two contributors who have given $100,000 to his campaign, according to campaign finance reports.

McAuliffe, who has so far raised about $950,000, collected $100,000 checks from Radford businessman Randal J. Kirk and Ed Haddock, a Richmond native who is now a businessman in Florida.

Novelist John Grisham, Huda A. Farouki, a finance and shipping mogul, John Raffaelli, a Washington attorney and lobbyist who lives in Alexandria, and Premium Distributors LLC each gave McAuliffe $50,000.

Eight of McAuliffe's donors gave $25,000.

With Democrat Charniele Herring clinging to a 16-vote lead over Republican Joe Murray in the special House election to replace Brian Moran, it appears as if Northern Virginia Democrats have a bit of election fatigue.

No, Moran shouldn't be blamed for failing to do more to prevent Democrats from suffering an embarrassing result in a district that President-Elect Barack Obama carried with 75 percent of the vote two months ago. As a candidate for governor in a tough race, Moran didn't have the luxury of personally visiting Alexandria Democrats around the holidays to remind them to vote in a special election.

But the Virginia Democratic Party was outflanked by the GOP. Murray won the absentee ballot precinct with nearly 80 percent of the vote, a clear sign that Herring and the Democrats got beat in the all-important organizing effort..

Jody W. Wagner, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, announced today she raised $400,000 for her campaign during the second half of 2008. Wagner will report she has $285,000 in the bank.

Wagner, who entered the race in August, is facing Richmond political consultant Rich Savage and Jon Bowerbank, a wealthy businessman from Southwest Virginia, for the nomination.

Wagner is the first Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor to release their fundraising numbers. Bowerbank's report will be especially interesting. When he announced his candidacy in May, Bowerbank dumped $223,000 of his own money into his campaign.

Bowerbank's only two contributors were his employees, but Democratic officials say he has since stepped up his outreach to donors, including attending a fundraiser last week in Fairfax County.

With Brian Moran's resignation from the House of Delegates, the Virginia Crime Commission appears to have shifted slightly to the right.

House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry), who represents rural Southern Virginia, replaced Moran on the 13-member commission. The appointment puts considerable pressure on Armstrong, who has to balance the wishes of his constituents against his role as a statewide spokesman for his party, including its liberal base in Northern Virginia.

In his first real test as a member, Armstrong voted today against having the crime commission recommend that the General Assembly close the so-called gun show loophole. Armstrong's vote resulted in the commission deadlocking on whether to make a recommendation. Moran had supported the closure of the loophole.

According to Washington Post reporter Fredrick Kunkle, Armstrong noted a large gun show is held annually in his district. He said the show was important to the local economy. House Republicans are watching Armstrong's votes closely. They are vowing to field a serious candidate against him this year, noting his constituents overwhelmingly supported Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) over President-Elect Barack Obama in the Nov. 4 election.

Terry McAuliffe announced today he's raised nearly $1 million since mid November for his campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor.

In a memo to donors, McAuliffe said he doubled his goal of $500,000. The memo said almost all of the money came from people who own homes or businesses in Virginia. McAuliffe's campaign estimates that less than $40,000 came from out of state.

Campaign finance reports for July 1 to December 31 are due Thursday. McAuliffe becomes the first candidate to release his number. But his big number will likely send shudders through his opponents' campaigns.

During the first six months of 2008, Democratic candidate Brian J. Moran took in about $1.4 million, although some of that money was transferred from an old political account.
Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), also a Democratic candidate for governor next year, raised $783,000 in the January to June 2008 reporting period. Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP nominee, took in $878,000 from last January to June.

McAuliffe has essentially raised in six weeks what Moran, Deeds and McDonnell raised in six months when they began their campaigns for governor. But Moran, Deeds and McDonnell had to stop raising money during the 60-day legislative session last winter.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian J. Moran will announce today he's hired a campaign manager, according to officials close to the campaign.

Andrew Roos, who oversaw Jack Markell's successful campaign for governor in Delaware last year, will become Moran's campaign manager.

Mame Reiley had been overseeing Moran's campaign, but he always planned on bringing on someone else to assume the role of manager. Reiley will continue to be the chair of Moran's effort and head his finance operation. Steve Jarding will also continue to serve as Moran's senior strategist.

As manager of Markell's campaign, Roos helped Markell upset then former Delaware Lt. Gov. John Carney in the Democratic primary. In that race, Carney started off the campaign with a big lead but Markell closed the gap after strong fundraising and an aggressive effort to organize voters.

"Roos has won primaries, and that is what we were looking for," said one Democratic official who is close to Moran. In a statement, Roos said Moran "will run an aggressive issued-based grassroots campaign."

Secretary of the Commonwealth Katherine K. Hanley, a former chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is playing an aggressive role in trying to make sure a Democrat wins her old job.

According to campaign finance reports, Hanley donated $4,000 last week to Braddock District Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D), who is running against Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity (R) in the Fairfax chairman's race.

Hanley's donation last week is on top of the $1,000 she gave Bulova last month. Hanley served as the chairwoman of the Fairfax Board from 1995 to 2003. In 2006, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) asked her to join his cabinet.

Northern Virginia Republicans are dumping surprising resources into Tuesday's special election to replace former delegate Brian J. Moran (D), who stepped down last month to focus on his bid for governor.

Given the strong Democratic tilt of Alexandria, Democratic nominee Charnielle Herring is heavily favored to defeat Republican Joseph Murray. But Murray appears to be remaining competitive with Herring in the money race in the final days of the election.

As of Jan. 2, Herring reported she had $13,365 in the bank. Murray, however, received an influx of support last week from Alexandria Republicans, according to campaign finance reports.

On Tuesday, Murray reported a $6,200 in-kind donation from the Alexandria Republican City Committee. On Friday, Murray reported he's also received $10,000 from Chris Marston, the chairman of the Alexandria Republican Committee. The Fund for America Opportunity, a Washington-based political action committee, also gave Murray $2,000 last week.

Murray's late-money frustrates Alexandria Democratic officials.

Washington Post reporter Christopher Twarowski reported in Sunday's editions that Loudoun County Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles) is considering challenging Del. Thomas Davis Rust (R-Fairfax) this year.

But Miller first has to find a new house in the 86th District, a process that is ongoing.

"I would like to run," Miller told Twarowski. "I can't commit to the project unless I can legally run for it, and I can't do that until I live inside the 86th District."

Miller's housing search, which centers in the Oak Grove area, underscores the obstacles facing Democrats as they try to unseat Rust.

Although his district has been trending Democratic - President-elect Barack Obama carried it with 63 percent of the vote inthis year - Rust has proven to be a formidable opponent. In 2007, Rust was reelected with 53 percent of the vote against a well-funded Democratic challenger.

If Miller were to get the nomination this year, his recent move into the district would almost certainly become an issue against Rust, a former mayor of Herndon with strong ties to the District. And if they can't pick up Rust's seat this year, it's hard to see how Democrats can find the six seats they need to regain control of the House of Delegates.

Virginia's congressional delegation was just sworn in on Tuesday, but interest groups and both political parties are already sending signals that the state will be ground zero in the 2010 congressional elections.

With Democratic U.S. Reps. Tom Perriello and Glenn Nye representing traditional GOP-leaning districts, they will likely be top targets in 2010. On Tuesday, the conservative group Americans for Limited Government sent out a statement blasting Nye for voting for several procedural rule changes that the group says will "silence" GOP dissent.

"Congressman Nye has chosen to serve Nancy Pelosi over the people in his own district," said Bill Wilson, president of Americans for Limited Government. "Congressman Nye deserves nothing but scorn for deliberately undermining the spirit and letter of the two-party system."

But while conservatives spend the next 18 months trying to undermine Nye and Perriello, both of whom will likely have well-funded GOP challengers, Democrats may target Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.).

Novelist John Grisham, who owns a home near Charlottesville, is backing Terry McAuliffe's bid for the Democratic nomination for governor, according to the Charlottesville Daily Progress.

According to the newspaper, Grisham said he and his wife support McAuliffe because they say he modernized the party when he was chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Grisham also told the newspaper that he thinks McAuliffe is the only Democrat who can defeat Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP nominee, in the fall.

Grisham, who introduced McAuliffe at a town hall in Charlottesville Wednesday, has close political and personal ties to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D). Grisham has contributed about $150,000 to Kaine's political efforts since 2005, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Grisham and his wife were also major supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) during last year's campaign for the Democratic nomination for president. McAuliffe had served as the chairman of Clinton's campaign.

Grisham's decision to back McAuliffe could be another setback for Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath). During his unsuccessful campaign for attorney general in 2005, Grisham was one of Deeds' biggest donors, giving him $52,000. Grisham is now the second major Deeds contributor from 2005 to defect to McAuliffe. Businessman R.J. Kirk, who gave Deeds $120,000 in 2005, has also come out for McAuliffe.

The Virginia Democratic Party released a video today responding to Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell's decision to highlight an endorsement from former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R).

In the video, the state party attempts to connect McDonnell to Giuliani's speech at the Republican National Convention in which he mocks President-elect Barack Obama for being a community organizer.

At this early stage of the governor's race, Virginia Democrats still view Obama, who carried the state with nearly 53 percent of the vote, as an asset. McDonnell is hoping that Giuliani and other national Republicans can help him counteract Obama by reaching out to suburban voters. But Democrats believe Giuliani, who moved to the right last year when he ran for the GOP nomination for president, now appeals to only a very small pool of Virginia voters.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe will be spending the night tonight at the spacious Martinsville home of House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry), who is a close ally of McAuliffe's rival for the nomination, Brian J. Moran.

During the sleepover, McAuliffe and Armstrong are expected to discuss McAuliffe's plans to help Democrats pick up the six seats needed to regain control of the House of Delegates.

But Armstrong stresses the meeting shouldn't be viewed as an indication he is having second thoughts about Moran's candidacy. Armstrong said any statewide Democratic candidate is welcome to stay at his house when they travel to southern Virginia.

"He said, he is coming to Martinsville and asked me where is a good place to stay?" Armstrong said. "I said, 'my house to save money, you will have fun'."

The late night drinking, however, may be tempered because Armstrong is battling a cold. Still, McAuliffe and Armstrong hold the potential to be a rambuncous combination.

Michael Signer, an attorney who served as deputy counselor to Mark R. Warner (D) when he was governor, is considering entering the race for the Democratic nomination for lietenant governor.

In an email to campaign professionals, Signer said he is searching for a campaign manager.

"As you may have heard by now, I'm planning on entering the primary for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia this June," the email states. "I'm looking for a campaign manager who could run an aggressive, resourceful, insurgent statewide campaign -- ideally someone with strong experience in caucuses and field organizing and creatively using the internet on a campaign."

According to his bio, Signer is a veteran of John Edwards' 2004 campaign for the Democratic nomination. Signer had also been associate communications director of Wesley Clark's 2004 presidential campaign. He later served as Clark's Virginia State Director. Signer is also a former aide to Sen. R. Creigh Deeds when he was a member of the House of Delegates.

The 2009 election cycle is shaping up as the Year of the Dollar Sign.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and Virginia Democrats have decided they can have a fundraiser during the legislative session. If it proceeds, it could further loosen the state's campaign finance laws.

And if there were ever a year in which Virginians should care about campaign finance, it's 2009.

Terry McAuliffe, who kicked off his campaign for governor today, said he will be deploying "dozens and dozens" of field organizers across Virginia in the coming weeks.

McAuliffe says he is trying to build off President-elect Barack Obama's successful effort in organizing Virginia Democrats last year. McAuliffe said his organizers will fan out across the state, positioning themselves in small and medium-sized cities.

"We are going to have probably the biggest ground game you will ever see in a gubernatorial race anywhere in the country," McAuliffe said.

Barry D. Knight, a Republican who operates one of Virginia's largest hog farms, easily defeated his Democratic opponent in today's special election to fill former GOP delegate Terrie L. Suit's House seat in Virginia Beach.

With all the precincts reporting, Knight received 83 percent of the vote. John M. Lacomb, who at age 24 was one of the youngest persons ever to be nominated by a major party for a House seat, received 17 percent of the vote. The election was called after Suit resigned this fall to become a lobbyist.

In a separate special election to succeed Democrat Dwight Jones, who resigned from the House after being elected mayor of Richmond, Delores L. McQuinn won her race against a write-in candidate. McQuinn, a Democrat who will represent parts of Richmond, received 73 percent of the vote.

Given long standing voting patterns in both districts, Knight and McQuinn were both expected to retain their seats for their respective parties.

But Lacomb's candidacy in Virginia Beach attracted some buzz after Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, decided to donate $5,000 to his campaign. Knight, a member of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission, runs a farm that produces 12,000 hogs a year.

John P. Fiscwick Jr., a Roanoke attorney, announced this afternoon he is abandoning his bid for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.

Fishwick's decision means Del. Steve Shannon (D-Fairfax) is currently running unopposed for the nomination.

Fishwick, who entered the race two months ago, said in a statement he had raised over $160,000 for his campaign but has decided he wants to remain in the private sector.

"For now, my role should remain in the aggressive private practice of law, fighting against injustice and for people whose lives and livelihood depend on that representation," Fishwick said. "I made this decision only after the most difficult deliberation."

Fishwick faced an uphill climb to the nomination. Although he is well-known in the Roanoke Valley, he would have had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to broaden his appeal in vote-rich Northern Virginia, where Shannon resides, and in Hampton Roads.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's expected appointment as the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee will likely undermine the Democratic candidates for governor ability to distance themselves from the national party.

Ever since Senator-elect Mark R. Warner (D) ran for governor in 2001, Virginia Democrats have gone out their way to stress that they are different from the national, more liberal, wing of the party. That branding of a "Virginia Democrat" - pro-business, socially moderate - was then used by Kaine during his race for governor in 2005. It also helped Sen. James Webb in 2006.

But now the head of the Virginia Democratic Party will also be in charge of the national committee. When the eventual Democratic nominee for governor takes on Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP nominee, this fall, they won't be able to position themselves as somehow different than the national party without first distancing themselves from Kaine.

GOP officials in Richmond were gleeful when they heard about Kaine's appointment. "The Mark Warner model is dead," one Richmond-based GOP strategist said.

With Brian J. Moran no longer serving in the House of Delegates, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) has the field to himself when it comes to pushing legislation in the General Assembly.

Deeds' new role as the lone legislator in the governor's race gives him an opportunity to grab the spotlight during the 45-day legislative session that begins next month. He can either find one, overarching issue to pursue that will generate statewide headlines or he can push several issues simultaneously that are targeted at specific blocs of voters.

It appears he may be embracing the latter strategy.

Deeds' first stab at making his mark appears aimed at making inroads with the farmers market crowd, who have a reputation for skewing to the left and being more politically active then the typical Kroger's shopper.

Virginia Republican leaders say they plan to press for answers from Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) on how he can be a sponsor of a Virginia Democratic Party inaugural ball, which is a fundraiser, during the legislative session.

Under Virginia law, state office holders and the members of the General Assembly are barred from raising money during the regularly scheduled legislative session. The session begins on Jan. 14. Kaine, Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) and Sen.-elect Mark R. Warner (D) are hosting "Virginia's Inaugural Ball" on Jan. 19 at the Westin Arlington Gateway.

The black-tie event, which sold- out in hours, is a fundraiser for the Virginia Democratic Party and the Arlington Democratic Party. Tickets are $200 but donors can be listed as sponsors for a $10,000 contribution.

Democratic officials say Kaine's role at the event is within state law. They say the fundraiser is no different than the state Democratic Party's annual Jefferson Jackson Day dinner, which is usually held in February during the legislative session. In recent years, Republicans in the General Assembly have protested the timing of that dinner as well, noting Kaine and Democratic state legislators often attend.

Democratic state office holders have justified their presence at the JJ Dinner by arguing they do not directly solicit donations for the event. But Kaine appears to be soliciting contributions for the inaugural ball. A flier advertising the ball states "Governor Kaine...invites you" to attend.

Former Congressman Tony Coelho and Democratic fundraiser Michael Fraioli are telling their contacts that Terry McAuliffe "is running for governor" of Virginia and needs help raising money before the Dec. 31 campaign finance reporting deadline.

In an email, Coelho and Fraioli are directing people to McAuliffe's website so they can make a contribution.

"Please excuse us for the mass email," the two write. "As the subject line of this email indicates, and we suspect you already know, our friend Terry McAuliffe is running for governor of Virginia....forward this email with your own message encouraging your friends to make a contribution to Terry's campaign. Please make your contribution before December 31."

The email suggests McAuliffe, who had said he will wait until Jan. 7 before officially announcing whether he would be a candidate, has begun ramping up his fundraising operation.

Coehlo served in the House of Represenatives from 1978 to 1989. In the late 1980s, he was the House Majority Whip, but resigned after his name surfaced during the Savings and Loan scandal. Coehlo was never charged with any wrong-doing and later became chairman of Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign. Fraioli heads up a Democratic consulting and fundraising firm in the District, Fraioli & Associates.

As Terry McAuliffe considers a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor, he has to overcome the impression that he has thin ties to the Virginia Democratic party and its activists.

But when it comes to spending his own money, campaign finance reports outline how McAuliffe has been far more interested in helping federal versus state candidates for office.

McAuliffe, a wealthy businessman and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has contributed more than $200,000 to presidential, congressional and national party committees since 2000, according to the Federal Election Commission. McAuliffe's wife, Dorothy, has also donated tens of thousands of dollars to federal candidates.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks money in state politics, McAuliffe has made only one contribution to a candidate running for state or local office in Virginia in the past eight years. On Oct. 28, after it was clear he was eyeing the governor's race, McAuliffe gave Fairfax County Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D) $500.

If McAuliffe made additional contributions to Virginia candidates this fall, they will be reported when the next round of campaign finance reports are due next month. But those donations will probably have been made after he began his exploratory effort for governor.

McAuliffe's lack of donations to Virginia candidates, especially considering his generous giving to federal candidates, could become fodder for his two rivals for the nomination, Brian J. Moran and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath).

Neither Deeds nor Moran have parted with much of their personal wealth in support of Virginia candidates, either. But both men have just a fraction of the fortune that McAuliffe can claim.

The chairmen of 10 local Democratic parties announced today they are endorsing Jon Bowerbank's bid for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

Eight of the ten chairmen lead local committees in Southwest Virginia, where Bowerbank lives and runs an engineering company. But Bowerbank was also endorsed by the chairs of the Prince William County and Fairfax City Democratic parties.

"Jon Bowerbank is the only Democrat in this race who can win statewide in November," said Pete Frisbie, chair of the Prince William County Democratic Committee. "Jon started a business from nothing, he knows how to balance the books in tough financial times and create jobs in the Commonwealth."

In addition to Frisbie and Joseph Harmon, chair of the Fairfax committee, Bowerbank was endorsed by Tom Graham, chair Congressional District Democratic Committee, Clinton Kegley of Bland County, Vern Presley of Buchanan County, Pete Sumpter of Lee County, Mike Fleenor of Pulaski County, Gail Montuori of Radford, Steve Banner of Russell County, and Melanie Salyer Wise County.

Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, said today he's not sure whether he will support Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's (D) proposal to double the state's cigarette tax to 60 cents.

On a conference call with reporters, Deeds praised Kaine for his leadership on the budget but added he is not "prepared to say yea or nay" on a tax increase.

"I'm going to look at the whole budget picture," Deeds said. "I'm not going to take a position on that yet."

U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) endorsed Sen. R. Creigh Deeds' bid for governor today, saying he is the candidate who can win over voters in rural Virginia.

"He can carry rural Virginia and the state and that is critically important for a candiddate who is seeking statewide office," Boucher said.

Boucher also praised Deeds' policies on the economy, transportation and energy. "He has the experience. He has the vision and he has the deep roots in our region," said Boucher, who represents Southwest Virginia.

A reporter then asked Boucher if Terry McAuliffe, who is also a potential candidate for the Democratic nomination, has deep enough roots in Virginia to be elected in a general election. Boucher said he preferred to answer that question "in an affirmative way" about Deeds. "I think rural voters deeply value the fact that someone has roots in our state," said Boucher, who has been close to Deeds for decades.

Brian J. Moran's sudden decision to resign his House of Delegates seat is an indication he is starting to feel squeezed by his two rivals for the Democratic nomination for governor, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath) and Terry McAuliffe.

And being in the middle is the worst possible scenario for Moran as he prepares to campaign full time for a job he has been seeking since Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) took office in 2006.

Moran is emerging as the establishment candidate who faces well-financed McAuliffe on one side and Deeds, the underdog, on the other.

Delacey Skinner, who has served as Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's communications director since he took office in 2006, will be leaving the administration at the end of the month.

Skinner said she is considering a number of future job opportunities, including joining Terry McAuliffe's potential campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor. Skinner has a close working relationship with Mo Elleithee, a senior strategist for McAuliffe. But Skinner cautions she has not made any decision about her next step and is also considering other potential opportunities in government or politics or the private sector.

Skinner has been with Kaine since his 2005 campaign for governor, when she served as his press secretary. Prior to joining Kaine, Skinner worked for Americans Coming Together, a liberal advocacy group, in New Hampshire during the 2004 presidential campaign. She also worked on Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean's unsuccessful presidential campaign in late 2003 and early 2004.

Skinner has been a key member of Kaine's inner-circle, helping to direct both his policy and political goals. Kaine is expected to name a new communications director before the General Assembly session begins on Jan. 14.

In the race for the Democratic nomination to replace Brian J. Moran in the Alexandria-based 46th House district, Charniele Herring defeated Ariel Gonzalez after only 234 people voted in the special election.

Herring, who was homeless as a teenager but rose to become an attorney and civic activist, received 191 votes. Gonzalez, director of governmental affairs for the American College of Radiology, received 43 votes, according to unofficial returns.

In the race for the GOP nomination, only 49 ballots were cast. Joe Murray, a special assistant to U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), won with 20 votes. Phil Cefaratti, a local realtor, received 16 votes. Sasha Gong, a scholar who runs a blog for Chinese Americans, received 13 votes, according to unofficial returns. Murray, who is also a law student at Catholic University, decided to file as a candidate for the Republican nomination a few hours before the voting began, according to GOP officials.

Called over the weekend after Moran abruptly resigned the seat he has held since 1996, both parties held their elections from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at a recreational center in Alexandria.

Herring, an African-American, will face Murray in a Jan. 13 special election. The winner will likely be sworn in the following day, when the General Assembly convenes for a 45-day session.

Herring should have an advantage because the 46th District is heavily Democratic, but, as tonight's abysmal turnout proves, Murray could pull off an upset if he convinces a couple hundred supporters to show up at the polls.

The election to select the Democratic nominee in the race for Brian J. Moran's replacement in the House of Delegates is not until Tuesday night, but one candidate is already questioning the outcome.

Ariel Gonzalez, the director of government affairs for the American College of Radiology, sent out a statement today accusing the Alexandria Democratic Committee and Moran of conspiring to hand the seat to his opponent for the nomination, Charniele Herring. Gonzalez is responding to Moran's decision to endorse Herring as well as questions about whether the contest is being held on too short of notice.

"The recent news of the manner in which tomorrow's special election will be held is troubling," Gonzalez said. "I am troubled that the people of Alexandria and Fairfax...must be subject to this unjust selection process." Gonzalez, who his supporters view as a rising star in the party and a fresh face, went on to accuse the Alexandria Democratic committee of engaging in "backroom deals" in support of Herring, an attorney and civil activist.

"This election will not be a decision made by the people of the 46th District," said Gonzalez, who would be the first Hispanic American to represent the 46th District. "This decision was a backroom deal made by the highest levels of the party establishment."

Brian J. Moran, who gave up his House seat on Friday to campaign full time for the Democratic nomination for governor, will announce Monday he is endorsing Charniele Herring's bid to replace him in the General Assembly, according to Democratic sources.

Moran's support comes as one prominent Alexandria Democrat, Kerry J. Donley, has apparently decided against entering the race but another candidate, Ariel Gonzalez, has thrown his hat into the ring.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has called a special election for Jan. 13, but both political parties have to settle on their nominees on Tuesday. The elections will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ramsay Recreational Center in Alexandria.

Gonzalez, a member of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, is the director of Congressional Affairs for the American College of Radiology. Gonzalez is also a former president of the Prince William Young Democrats.

"I have entered this race because I believe it is time to move Virginia in a new direction," said Gonzalez, whose mother is a former principal at James K. Polk Elementary School in Alexandria. "After 20 years in Virginia, I think the 46th District deserves a new voice to represent all of its people, especially those who have traditionally been excluded from politics."

But some Alexandria Democratic leaders question whether Gonzalez has deep enough roots to the community and local party. Besides Moran, Democratic National Committee Member Mame Reiley has announced she is supporting Herring, an attorney and civic activist.

The 18 Democratic members of Fairfax County's delegation to the General Assembly endorsed their colleague, Del. Steve Shannon (D), today in his bid for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.

The House and Senate members who represent all or part of Fairfax made their announcement at a fundraiser for Shannon at the home of Bob and Mary Ann Hovis in Oakton.

""By having a strong, unified delegation, we have made tremendous progress in recent year," Shannon said in a statement. "Our cohesion has resulted in Democrats taking back control of the State Senate and making huge gains in the House of Delegates. The support of my colleagues in this campaign means a great deal to me."

Shannon is running against Roanoke attorney John Fishwick for the nomination. In recent days, Shannon has gotten more aggressive in rolling out endorsements.

Last week, Shannon picked up support from Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler (D) and Arkansas Attorney General,Dustin McDaniel (D)..

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has called a special election for Jan. 13 to replace Brian J. Moran as the delegate in the Alexandria-based 46th District.

"The residents of the 46th District deserve to have their voice heard in the General Assembly when it convenes in January," Governor Kaine said.

Prior to the election, the local political parties will likely hold caucuses next week to determine their nominees. Former Alexandria Mayor Kerry J. Donley and party leader Charniele Herring are widely viewed as two early front-runners for the Democratic nomination.

Herring, a community leader and Democratic activist who was active in President-elect Barack Obama's campaign, announced her candidacy late Friday night. If elected, Herring would be only the second African-American since at least the 1980s to represent Northern Virginia in the General Assembly, according to one political observer.

In an article this summer in the Alexandria Times, Herring recounted how her family was homeless when she was 16. Herring used that experience to become a advocate for social justice.

The Democratic nominee will be heavily favored to retain Moran's seat in the special election, but a credible GOP candidate could emerge because of an expected low turnout. In a special election to fill an Alexandria City Council seat in 2007, Republican Bill Cleveland received 48 percent of the vote in a two-way race.

Two Democratic candidates for governor, Terry McAuliffe and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), have both responded to the news that the third candidate in the race, Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), has resigned his House seat so he can campaign full time.

Both McAuliffe and Deeds released carefully worded statements that foreshadowed one potential line of attack against Moran: He's walking away from the fight over the budget in the General Assembly.

"Brian has been a great legislator for a long time," said Mo Elleithee, a McAuliffe spokesman. "The people of Virginia are losing a top notched legislative leader at a very challenging time. We hope his seat is filled as soon as possible so we don't have a void during the upcoming legislative session."

Peter Jackson, a Deeds spokesman, said in a statement his boss has no plans of giving up his seat.

"What Virginia needs most is steady leadership during these trying economic times," Jackson said. "Senator Deeds will continue fighting for Virginia's working families--creating 21st century jobs and restoring the state's financial health--both as a candidate for Governor and during this winter's legislative session."

In an interview, Moran responded, "This is about the next 4 years, this is not about the next 45 days."

Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) resigned today from the House of Delegates so he can campaign full time for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Moran sent a letter to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) this morning announcing his decision, which he said followed "long deliberation and discussions with" his family.

By resigning the seat he has held since 1996, Moran will be able to raise money and travel the state this winter instead of being bogged down by the 45-day legislative session. Had he not stepped down, Moran would have been in Richmond in January and February while one of his chief rivals for the nomination, Terry McAuliffe, was free to campaign. Moran will also be able to avoid looming tough votes on budget cuts, as well as possible tax or fee increases, as Virginia grapples with a big budget shortfall.

"While the decisions made in the coming 45 day General Assembly session are important, the leadership of Virginia for the next four years is even more critical," Moran wrote in a letter to his constituents. "Today's troubled times demand proven leadership. I believe the best thing I can do for the people of Alexandria, Fairfax and the entire state, is to win this campaign for governor."

There is no indication that the third Democrat in the race, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), plans to step down. As the only sitting legislator in the race, Deeds now has an opportunity to distinguish himself when it comes to the budget and other debates during the session.

But Moran advisers said he didn't think it was fair to his constituents for him to be distracted by his bid for governor.

"To be elected governor, you've got to have a single-minded focus on that objective," said Moran's brother, U.S. Rep. James P. Moran (D-Va.) "It was a principled decision because he didn't want to give his constituents anything less than 100 percent of his attention."

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) held a fundraiser for his political action committee last night in Tysons Corner, an event that drew hundreds of Democratic activists, donors and party leaders.

Kaine was introduced by Senator-Elect Mark R. Warner (D), who recalled how barren the political landscape was for Democrats in 2001, when Warner ran for governor and Kaine was the party's nominee for lieutenant governor.

"If you think where we were 8 years ago as Virginia Democrats, we didn't have a single statewide elected official, we had three congressman, the legislature was 2-to-1 against us and basically folks in the press had decided that Virginia was next to Idaho or Wyoming or one of those states that was never going to go Democratic," Warner recalled.

They might still be buoyant over President-elect Barack Obama's success in carrying Virginia this year, but Saturday's election results from Louisiana should give the three Democrats vying to become Virginia's next governor a gut check about their own chances.

In Louisiana's 4th Congressional District, Republican John Fleming appears to have eked out a 365-vote victory over Democrat Paul Carmouche. On the same day, Louisiana voters ousted U.S. Rep. William J. Jefferson (D), who is awaiting trail on corruption charges.

In both those races, as well as the Democrats' failure two weeks ago to unseat Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), a low turnout among African Americans played a key role in GOP successes.

African Americans make up a larger share of the population in those states than in Virginia, but the results from those three races hold sobering news for Virginia Democrats heading into the 2009 campaigns for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general: Although African Americans turned out in huge numbers this year to support Obama, there is no guarantee they are going to do so without him on the ballot.

Lewis F. Payne Jr., a former congressman from south central Virginia and unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor in 1997, will announce this afternoon he is endorsing Del. Brian J. Moran (Alexandria) in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Until earlier this year, Payne had mentioned as a potential candidate for governor but he declined to run. He currently serves as the president of McGuireWoods Consulting Firm.

"Brian Moran has a proven record of fighting for Virginia families," Payne said. "He has a two-decade long record of public service to Virginians and was a chief partner of Mark Warner and now Tim Kaine."

Payne's endorsement could be a setback for state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath), also a candidate for the Democratic nomination. Part of Deeds' district overlaps with Payne's old congressional district, which stretches from Charlottesville to Danville. Deeds also played a big role in helping Congressman-Elect Tom Perriello win back Payne's seat for the Democrats this year. Payne is heading up Perriello's transition.

Payne's wife, Susan, is also endorsing Moran. As a member of Congress from 1988 to 1997, L.F. Payne was a founding member of the Blue Dog Democrats, a collection of conservative Democrats, often from rural communities. His support of Moran could help the Alexandria Democrat burnish his credentials in the rural, southern part of the state.

As chairman of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-NY) failed presidential campaign, Terry McAuliffe was walloped by President-Elect Barack Obama skill at political organizing and the creation of catchy, web savvy, techniques to engage potential supporters.

Now, as he gears for his own potential bid for governor, McAuliffe appears to be borrowing some of the same tactics that Obama used so effectively during his primary and general election campaigns.

McAuliffe has said he will announce on Jan. 7 whether he plans to formally enter the governor's race. On his exploratory campaign's website, McAuliffe is soliciting names and email addresses from people who want to be "among the first to know" his decision on Jan. 7.

Within seconds of signing up, respondents receive an email from McAuliffe promising, "you'll be the first to know."

Sound familiar?

State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, a Democratic candidate for governor, began fleshing out his campaign theme today, delivering an emotional but unpolished message.

At an event in Richmond, Deeds announced he had been endorsed by nearly two dozen of that city's leaders, including five city council members, two school board members, Sheriff C.T. Woody and state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III (D).

Deeds described Richmond as his "second home," noting he was born in that city after his parents left their farm in Bath County in search of work.

"I guess I grew up in humble circumstances," Deeds said. "I never thought of myself as poor until I went away to college and realized what other people had, so I guess I did know poor but I never knew humble."

Former Democratic National Committee Terry McAuliffe continues to staff up in preparation for his potential campaign for governor next year.

McAuliffe recently hired Peter Kavanaugh, who most recently served as the field director for the Virginia Democratic Party's coordinated campaign, according to sources familiar with the hire. With Kavanaugh's help, the state party conducted a $13 million campaign this year in support of President-Elect Barack Obama, Senator-Elect Mark R. Warner (D) and Democratic congressional candidates.

It's unclear what Kavanaugh's title will be, but sources expect him to remain concentrated on field work. In ramping up his campaign, Democrats say McAuliffe also appears to be getting advice from Peter O'Keefe, who served as his senior advisor at the Democratic National Committee. O'Keefe is also a veteran of former President Clinton's campaigns during the 1990s.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a rising star in the Republican Party and potential presidential candidate in 2012, will be in Richmond tomorrow to help Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) raise money for his gubernatorial campaign.

Jindal, the nation's first Indian-American governor, and McDonnell will hold a joint-press conference tomorrow afternoon and then attend a closed-door fundraiser.

Jindal's appearance is the latest sign that Virginia Republicans may be looking for something new when it comes to branding their party's image.

In the months leading up to Nov. 4 election, Virginia Republicans trotted a bunch of surrogates through the state who never seemed as if they were connecting with the state's diversifying electorate, including former U.S. Senator George Allen, actor Fred Thompson, former NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler and a slew of veterans and prisoners of war who served with Arizona Sen. John McCain (R) in Vietnam.

Delegate Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake), who has developed a reputation for being able to marshal support from African-Americans in Hampton Roads, announced today he is endorsing Jon Bowerbank in the race for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

Spruill said in a statement that Bowerbank's experience "uniquely qualify him to tackle the challenges" facing Virginia. Bowerbank, a wealthy businessman from Russell County, is facing off against former budget secretary Jody W. Wagner for the Democratic nomination.

Spruill decision could help Bowerbank neutralize some of Wagner's support within the African-American community, which will likely play a major role in the outcome of the election. Del. Brian J. Moran, a Democratic candidate for governor, thinks so highly of Spruill's political skills he is paying him $7,500 a month to be an "outreach coordinator" for his campaign. In an interview earlier this year, Spruill defended his salary, noting he has "contacts" all over the state.

When asked by the Washington Post, Bowerbank campaign manager John Paul Lupo admitted that it is also paying Spruill. Lupo said Spruill is being paid for "get out the vote" and "grassroots and strategic advice." But Lupo said he's not sure of Spruill's salary.

For years, House Republicans leaders have been under pressure from House Democrats to change the rules so that all subcommittee votes are recorded.

Currently, many bills are killed in subcommittees on unrecorded voice votes, which makes it difficult to track a member's position on controversial legislation.

House GOP leaders have been fending off the push by Democrats, who believe recorded subcommittee votes would make it easier for them to knock off incumbents, to change the rules. But now the GOP leaders are also facing pressure from the right to record subcommittee votes.

Ben Marchi, state director for Americans for Prosperity, an anti-tax group, delivered a petition of more than 300 signatures to House GOP leaders this morning calling on them to record all subcommittee votes. Marchi, who said the signatures were gathered at the recent GOP retreat at The Homestead resort, called it a "transparency issue" so taxpayers know how their money is being spent.

"It is not a partisan issue," Marchi said. "It's a good government issue and government operates best when it operates openly."

J. Scott Leake, who has been a senior adviser to Senate Republicans since 2003, will step down from that position at the end of the month to take a job in the private sector.

Leake said his new job will likely still require him to be a frequent visitor to Capitol Square, although he said it is not a lobbying position.

Leake had been executive director of the Virginia Senate Republican Leadership Trust, an organization run by moderate Senate Republicans. But those Republicans lost much of their power last year after the Democrats retook control of the state Senate.

For Republicans still reeling from the drubbing the party took in Northern Virginia on Election Day, there is good and bad news in the outcome.

First the bad news.

President-elect Barack Obama received 60 percent of the vote in Fairfax County and 72 percent in Arlington County and Alexandria, giving him a trove of support that made it nearly impossible for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to carry the state.

Now, the good news.

Obama drew 60 percent of the vote in Fairfax and 72 percent in Arlington and Alexandria, which are about the same percentages that Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and Sen. James Webb (D) received in their races in 2005 and 2006.

State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, a Democratic candidate for governor, announced additions to his campaign team today as he prepares for a heated three-way battle for the nomination.

Deeds said Joe Abbey, who most recently worked for Senator-elect Mark R. Warner (D), will serve as his campaign manager, overseeing day-to-day operations.

Deeds also confirmed that many of his senior advisers from his unsuccessful campaign for attorney general in 2005 will once again be helping him next year.

David Petts and his partner, Jill Normington, will serve as Deeds' pollster, as they did in 2005. This year, Normington worked for Democrat Glenn Nye in his successful race for Congress in Hampton Roads as well as various Democratic candidates around the country.

David Dixon, of Dixon/Davis Media Group, will be Deeds media consultant. And Kevin Mack, who worked in Virginia on Tom Perriello's apparently successful congressional campaign this year, will be Deeds' chief strategist.

The announcements come as Deeds and the two other Democratic candidates for governor - Del. Brian J. Moran (Alexandria) and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe -begin positioning themselves for the June primary.

At times, however, it has appeared in recent weeks as if there were only two candidates who were serious about making the race.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) gave an impression yesterday that he was taking a brief hiatus from politics. Speaking on his monthly call-in show on WTOP radio, Kaine refused to answer a question on whether he planned to work hard next year to unseat the remaining Republican members of the House of Delegates from increasingly Democratic Northern Virginia.

"My focus right now is the legislative session," Kaine said. "From now to March, my focus is on the budget and policy and after the session, I will think about elections."

But Kaine's fundraising tells a different tale. On Tuesday, the State Board of Elections reported that Kaine had collected an additional $30,000 for his political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward, from three of his biggest donors.

Kaine picked up $10,000 each from Dominion, G. Gilmore Minor, president of Richmond-based Owens & Minor Inc. and Radford billionaire Randal J. Kirk. Dominion, the state's utility company, has now given Kaine $60,000 since 2006. Minor has donated $90,000, and Kirk has contributed $660,000 to the governor's political efforts, according to the Board of Elections.

C. Richard Cranwell, the chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party, said all fall he would make up his mind about whether he plans to run for statewide office next year shortly after the Nov. 4 election.

Well, the Washington Post took him at his word and called him a few days after the election. Cranwell said he still hadn't made up his mind, but should have a decision by Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is in two days. But Cranwell's phone has gone straight to voice mail for the past two days. And Democratic officials say he is out of town. There does not appear, however, to be any indications that Cranwell is putting together a campaign, officials say.

And while Cranwell takes his time in making up his mind - or announcing his decision - his potential rivals in the lieutenant governor's race continue to rack up endorsements.

Jody Wagner, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, announced yesterday she has been endorsed by senators Ed Houck (D-Spotsylvania) and Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) as well as delegates Albert Eisenberg, (D-Arlington), Albert Pollard (D-Mollusk) and Kenneth Plum (D-Fairfax).

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has never been one to shy away from getting entangled in a contested Democratic nomination fight.

When he was lieutenant governor in 2004, Kaine waded into the battle for the Democratic nomination for president by endorsing Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman (I), a move widely viewed as an effort by Kaine to boost his credentials with moderates as he prepared to run for governor. Three years later, Kaine endorsed President-Elect Barack Obama in February of 2007 when few analysts would have predicted that Obama would end up defeating Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY.) for the nomination. This year, Kaine surprised many when he endorsed Gerald E. Connolly (D) in his race against Leslie Byrne for the Democratic nomination for Congress.

But speaking on WTOP-Radio this morning, Kaine said he has no plans to endorse one of the three contenders for the Democratic nomination for governor.

"I am going to be neutral in this race," Kaine said. But Kaine added he is pleased that so many candidates are interesting in seeking the nomination, saying it's a sign of a healthy Democratic party.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) said today he has twice made it clear to President-Elect Barack Obama that he does not want to be considered for a cabinet position until after he leaves office in 2010.

Speaking on his monthly call-in show on WTOP radio, Kaine said the first discussion occurred this summer during Obama's vice-presidential selection process. Kaine said he would have left office early for the vice-presidency but told Obama "I really can't leave early for the cabinet."

After the election, Kaine said he and Obama also briefly conversed about the cabinet..

"We communicated right after the election to say, 'hey are you sure? Yea I am sure'," Kaine said.

But Kaine said today he hopes to be helpful to Obama "in a volunteer way" next year, perhaps as a liaison between the administration and governors.

At least so far, there does not appear as if there will be major changes in Democratic party leadership heading into the 2009 races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and House of Delegates.

Levar Stoney, executive director of the Virginia Democratic Party, said recently he plans to remain in the job through next year. Stoney, who was an aide to Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) during his 2005 bid for attorney general, took over as executive director earlier this year. Don Mark, the party's political director, also plans to stay in his job.

Meanwhile, Charlie Kelly says he plans to remain the executive director of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward. In his role as Kaine's political adviser, Kelly also partly directs the state party's operations.

Kelly and Stoney both come from the field organizing side of the Democratic political world. As was the case this year, Virginia Democrats have excelled in their coordinated ground game because of Kaine's leadership and an energized grassroots.

But once Democrats choose a nominee for governor in June, that candidate will likely take on a greater role in structuring the party's get-out-to-vote efforts. It remains to be seen how the nominee's campaign will interact with Stoney, Kelly and the rest of Kaine's leadership team.

GOP strategist Anthony Bedell appears well positioned to replace James E. Hyland as the next chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Committee.

Hyland, a possible candidate for the House of Delegates next year, is stepping down as county chairman after two years. Bedell has worked in support of numerous GOP candidates over the years, including former governor and senator George Allen, President Bush, and former delegate and state senator James K. O'Brien.

With the federal election over, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) is stepping up his efforts to raise money for his state political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward.

Since late October, Kaine has collected $115,000 from eight individuals or organizations.

Kaine collected $25,000 from Robert Smith, a Northern Virginia real estate developer. The Virginia Democratic Party also transferred $25,000 to the PAC immediately after the election. Genworth Financial , an insurance and financial services company with offices in Richmond, gave Kaine $15,000.

In selling his decision to consider running for both his House seat and the Democratic nomination for governor next year, Del. Brian J. Moran's (D-Alexandria) staff point to Vice-President-Elect Joe Biden. After he was tapped by President-Elect Barack Obama, Biden remained on the ballot in Delaware for his U.S. Senate seat. He won both races so the governor of Delaware will now be filling his Senate seat.

But Biden was already his party's nominee for the Senate when he was selected by Obama. Moran would be starting the year with his eye toward winning two races at the same time.

According to legislative sources, 1993 was the last time a delegate ran for reelection to their seat while also running for higher office. Delegate Clint Miller sought the Republican nomination for Governor at the 1993 Republican Convention while simultaneously running for reelection. Miller lost the GOP nod for governor, placing third behind George Allen and Earl Williams. He won reelection to his seat in the House of Delegates, however.

In 2005, State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) gave up his House seat to seek the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

"I just felt like putting all my chips on the table and I didn't feel like it was being forthright to seek two offices at the same time," said Petersen, who is supporting Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) for governor. "I think the voter has the right to say which one does he really want."

Del. Brian J. Moran (Alexandria), a Democratic candidate for governor, announced today he has been endorsed by a majority of the members on the state party's steering committee.

The individual endorsements do not reflect a collective decision from the committee, but Moran has picked up support from several longtime party activists and local district chairs.

The list of officials now backing Moran include: party secretary Pixie Bell, George Burke, 11th District Chair, Sandra Brandt, 2nd District Chair, Marjorie Clark, 7th District Chair, Audrey Collins, 4th District Chair, . Kerry Donley, Immediate Past Chair,. Treasurer Abbi Easter, Rich Galecki, 10th District Chair, Margo Horner, 8th District Chair, Frank Leone, Jr., DNC Member, Gene Magruder, Chair of the Va. Association of Democratic Chairs, Suzette Matthews, 1st District Chair, Evelyn Morris-Harris, Chair of the Democratic Black Caucus of Va., Rachel Rifkind, Chair of the Women's Caucus and Justin Wilson, vice chair of Technology and Communications.

As Virginia Republicans continue to assess their Nov. 4 losses and plot their comeback in time for the 2009 state races, one big obstacle hangs over them: coordination.

The 2008 presidential and congressional races exposed a huge discrepancy in how the Democrats worked with other Democrats compared with how Republicans worked together.

Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) is considering running simultaneously this spring for both his House of Delegates seat as well as the Democratic nomination for governor.

Jesse F. Ferguson, Moran's communications director, said Moran will decide by Jan. 1 whether he plans to seek both positions. If Moran runs for both jobs, he would be all but guaranteed a job in 2010 if he loses his race for governor. If he wins the Democratic nomination for governor, Moran would most likely have to give up his House seat this summer, allowing the local Democratic comittee to decide the nominee for his House seat.

Ferguson said Moran is contemplating seeking reelection to the House as well as run for governor because the Alexandria Democratic Committee asked him to. But Susan B. Kellom, chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, said Moran approached her about seeking both jobs.

"That is a decision Brian made and it is perfectly legal under state law," Kellom said. "He asked how I felt about it and I said, 'I am fine with it.' I am absolutely comfortable with him running for both....He is one of the finest members of the House of Delegates we can
have."

(Kellom has since written an email saying the Washington Post was "playing with semantics" in asking who asked whom that Moran run for reelection to his House seat. "I was on a call with his staff on another matter and told them that it was the best idea, and my preference that he run for both offices." Kellom wrote. "I expressed my preference and urged them to adopt it. I certainly think they could say I asked him but I didn't characterize it that way because I didn't want to seem presumptuous.")

In a major coup, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's largest financial backer said today he will support Terry McAuliffe's bid for the Democratic nomination for governor of Virginia.

Billionaire Randal J. Kirk has contributed more than $600,000 to Kaine since he took office in 2006. Kirk, an investment and pharmaceutical mogul in Radford, also recently gave the Virginia Democratic Party $100,000.

In an interview today, Kirk said he will support McAuliffe if he officially enters the race. Kirk said McAuliffe, a former businessman and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is best suited to manage Virginia's economy and carry on the policies of Kaine and former governor Mark R. Warner (D).

"I think the main issue for Virginia is the main issue nationally, which is the economy," said Kirk, who also supported President-Elect Barack Obama. "I think Terry McAuliffe can move the dial in a significant way."

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP nominee for governor, is starting to flex the big advantage he will have in next year's campaign by being the only candidate in the race who currently holds a statewide office.

McDonnell held an event for the media today, which drew nearly a dozen television crews and print reporters, to unveil a new video aimed at preventing youths from joining gangs.

McDonnell was flanked with a made-for-television, mutli-racial, backdrop of law enforcement officials.

"It's a wake-up call against gang violence," McDonnell said of the 25-minute video, which will be distributed to law enforcement agencies and the media. "It's tough, its straight talk and its hard-hitting."

In producing the video, McDonnell worked closely with Richmond Commonwealth Attorney Michael Herring. Herring, an African-American Democrat, praised McDonnell's office for its efforts in combating gang violence.

Here is a piece of post-election trivia to ponder.

Virginia's Petersburg appears to have given President-Elect Barack Obama his third best showing of any incorporated city or county in the lower 48 states, according to Politico's map of election results.

Petersburg, where African-Americans make up about 80 percent of the population, gave Obama 88.7 percent of its votes. Petersburg fell just short of supplying Obama with his second biggest percentage margin. That distinction goes to Prince Georges County, Maryland, where Obama got 88.9 percent of the vote. Obama appears to have performed the best in the District of Columbia, where he got an astounding 93 percent of the vote.

The following cities and counties finished just behind Petersburg: Bronx County New York,(88.2 percent) Jefferson County Mississippi (87.9 percent), Baltimore Maryland (87.3 percent), Macon County Alabama, (86.9 percent), Menominee County Wisconsin (86.9 percent), Manhattan County, New York (85 percent), Starr County Texas (84.5 percent), Zavala County Texas (84.2 percent), San Francisco California (84.1 percent), St. Louis Missouri (83.7 percent), Greene County Alabama (83.2 percent), Philadelphia Pennsylvania (83.1 percent).

Let me know if I missed any.

The first skirmish has developed between the campaign teams of Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) and Terry McAuliffe, both potential Democratic candidates for governor next year.

Mo Elleithee, a senior McAuliffe advisor, sent out a statement today condemning what he calls Moran's "surprisingly negative" tone when it comes to McAuliffe's potential candidacy. Earlier today, Jesse Ferguson, a Moran spokesman, sent out a statement titled "Virginians Respond to McAuliffe Candidacy." Ferguson's memo included snippets of recent editorials and columns that have been written about McAuliffe, including a Richmond Times Dispatch column comparing McAuliffe to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R).

Last week, when McAuliffe announced he will spend the next two months deciding on whether he plans to formally enter the race, Moran's campaign took a swipe at the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee by noting Florida Democrats had encouraged him to run for governor in that state in 2005.

State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), also a candidate for the nomination, took a softer approach, welcoming McAuliffe into the race.

Terry McAuliffe, a potential Democratic candidate for governor next year, will kick off his two-month listening tour this weekend.

McAuliffe, who plans to announce Jan. 7 whether he will enter the race, will have breakfast with Prince William County Democrats tomorrow morning in Occoquan.

McAuliffe will then attend the Norfolk State University vs. Delaware State football game in Norfolk.

"Terry will be rooting on the Norfolk State Spartans," his campaign said in a statement.

McAuliffe will end his day by attending a black-tie gala in Portsmouth to raise money for scholarships.

McAuliffe's visit to Hampton Roads appears to be an effort to target African Americans. A Washington Post survey last month showed McAuliffe running particulary strong among black females although black males favored Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), who is also a candidate for the nomination.

The poll also showed Moran with a slim overall lead statewide, but he and McAuliffe were tied in Hampton Roads.

Organized labor continues to play a major role in bankrolling the Virginia Democratic Party.

On Monday, the Treasury Employees Democracy in Action committee gave the state party $15,000.

The organization is made up of federal employees. Since Sept. 1, the state party has collected more than $625,000 from organized labor for its state account. Labor unions also contributed tens of thousands dollars to the party's federal efforts this year in support of President-elect Barck Obama and Senator-Elect Mark R. Warner.

The volume of money the party is collecting from labor could certainly become a campaign issue in 2009, given Virginia's status as a right-to-work state. Virginia Republicans are already asking what, if anything, the labor unions hope to accomplish by pouring so much money into the state party.

With most of the votes now apparently counted, the results from the Nov. 4 election show President-elect Barack Obama received at least 70 percent of the vote in six jurisdictions. Obama got 88.6 percent of the vote in Petersburg, 79.1 percent in Richmond, 78.3 percent in Charlottesville, 71.7 percent in both Alexandria and Arlington and 71 percent in Norfolk, according to State Board of Elections.

Arizona Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) eclipsed the 70 percent mark in two locations, Poquoson, where he got 74 percent and Scott County, where he got 71 percent. McCain also received at least 68 percent of the vote in Bedford, Augusta, Powhatan and Rockingham counties as well as Colonial Heights.

Sentor-Elect Mark R. Warner (D) topped 70 percent in 29 jurisdictions, including 90 percent in Petersburg, 84.5 percent in Richmond, 83.6 percent in Charlottesville and 82 percent in Martinsville.

As the race for the Democratic nomination for governor gets underway, one question is still awaiting an answer: Will any of the candidates be able to latch into the extensive political network that President-Elect Barack Obama built in Virginia this year?

In what may turn out being the biggest missed opportunity of the 2009 race, none of the Democratic candidates got behind Obama early in the presidential campaign. Fearful of getting entangled in the primary battle between Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY.), both Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) remained neutral. The third contender for the nomination, Terry McAuliffe, served as national chairman of Clinton's campaign.

Had Deeds or Moran been associated with the Obama campaign during the presidential primaries, they would have likely been rewarded with intense loyalty from his supporters in 2009. Obama also may have decided to throw his support behind that candidate next year.

After the primaries, all three Democrats did hit the trail extensively for Obama around Virginia, appearing at times as if they were trying to outdo the others when it came to expressing their support for the Democratic ticket. But in fashioning their campaign teams, Moran, Deeds and McAuliffe are all so far relying on top Virginia strategists who supported, or worked for, Clinton during the primaries.

C.. Richard Cranwell, the chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party, said today he's still not sure whether he will step down so he can seek his party's nomination for lieutenant governor.

For months, Cranwell has been mentioned as a potential statewide candidate next year, but he had been telling people he would not make an announcement until after the election.

The election has come and gone, but Cranwell now says he will "probably" reach a decision before Thanksgiving.

"I haven't made up my mind yet," Cranwell said.

Since Cranwell took over as chairman, Democrats won the 2005 governor's race, two U.S. Senate seats, three House seats, control of the state senate and President-Elect Barack Obama became the first Democratic nominee in 44 years to carry the state.

Not a bad talking point to take to Democratic primary voters.

In July, Virginia Notebook published a list of 10 Virginia locations that were likely to be up for grabs in the presidential race between Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

At the time, many pundits thought it would be an uphill climb for Obama to become the first Democratic nominee in 44 years to carry Virginia. For Obama to win, he needed to carry many of the 10 locations that we wrote about in the summer.

Now that the election is over, it's time to review the results in those counties and cities. Obama carried seven of them, helping him rack up a statewide lead of nearly seven percentage points.

Below are the earlier explanations of the 10 swing locations as well as the results, based on unofficial returns as of Tuesday.

Someone is trying to recruit women in Northern Virginia to participate in a focus group about next year's race for governor.

People are being called and offered $75 to participate in the focus group. In screening potential participants, the caller is asking a series of questions about former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, who set up a political committee this week as he explores whether to seek the Democratic nomination for governor.

Meanwhile, another Democratic candidate for governor, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath), will be hosting a conference call with "supporters and friends" tomorrow evening to begin plotting strategy for next year.

The people on the conference call will become "an informal group of advisers" for Deeds' campaign, according to an email advertising the call.

GOP officials say James E. Hyland, the chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Party, has emerged as the leading possible contender to be the party's nominee for Del. Steve Shannon's (D-Fairfax) House seat next year.

Shannon will likely give up his seat to run for Attorney General. His central Fairfax-District has been tough for Republicans in recent years, but GOP officials believe it is winnable next year if the current political environment starts shifting away from the Democrats once President-Elect Barack Obama takes office.

At the very least, by fielding a strong candidate, the GOP is sending a signal it plans to fight hard for several Democrat-held House seats in Fairfax and Loudoun counties to try to stall recent losses in the region.

As Inaugural fever builds across the Commonwealth, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's (D) staff said they are not sure yet how many tickets to the swearing-in ceremony they will get to distribute.

Kaine was one of President-elect Barack Obama's earliest supporters, so the governor will surely have some influence in getting some Virginia Democrats into the ceremony. But Charlie Kelly, Kaine's political director, said they have not yet received an allottment of tickets.

"We look to be as helpful as possible," Kelly said of requests for tickets.

For daily tidbits on inaugural planning, logistics and intrigue, check out the Post's inaugural blog.

Send tips about local or state festivities, tickets and the like to our colleague David Nakamura at nakamurad@washpost.com

Terry McAuliffe has begun retaining staff as he explores whether he will officially enter the race for the Democratic nomination for governor next year.

Jenny Nadicksbernd, who was Senator-elect Mark R. Warner's (D) Virginia finance director this year, will help McAuliffe establish his fundraising operations in the state. Nadicksbernd also served as Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's (D) Northern Virginia finance director during his 2005 campaign.

McAuliffe has also brought on Mike Henry to serve as an unpaid adviser. Henry has been a heavy weight figure in Virginia Democratic politics for years, most recently serving as Warner's campaign manager. Henry also oversaw Kaine's 2005 campaign, and is widely credited with helping Democrats' implement their recent successful strategy of reaching out to voters in Virginia's suburban community.

Henry, as of now, will not take on an official title for the McAuliffe campaign. He will join Mo Elleithee, a former adviser to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Kaine, in helping to shape McAuliffe's exploratory effort.

As local registrars finish canvassing the vote totals and complete the counting of absentee ballots, President-Elect Barack Obama continues to gain ground in several Virginia localities.

Obama is now up to 57.5 percent of the vote in Prince William County, and 53.7 percent of the vote in Loudoun County. In both Northern Virginia locations, Obama gained about two percentage points since his initial showing the day after the election. Obama also now appears as if he will win traditionally conservative Chesapeake City in Hampton Roads with 50 percent of the vote, even though the results Wednesday morning had him trailing Arizona Sen. John McCain (R).

Virginia Beach is also in danger of flipping into Obama's column. On the day after the election, McCain led Obama by about 3 percentage points in Virginia Beach. But when the results were updated earlier today, McCain's lead had dwindled to less than one percent.

McCain now has 49.8 percent of the vote vs. Obama 49.1 percent. Even if Obama comes up short in Virginia Beach, its a huge accomplishment for a Democratic presidential candidate to essentially run even with a Republican in Virginia Beach, which is home to televangelist Pat Robertson and large numbers of retired and active duty military personnel.

With the exception of Democrat Mark R. Warner's crushing, although somewhat expected, 65 percent to 35 percent win in the Senate race Tuesday, President-Elect Barack Obama has achieved a milestone for a Democrat running in Virginia in recent times.

According to unofficial results, Obama got 52.6 percent of the vote, the highest margin a Democratic candidate running statewide has achieved in Virginia since 1993. That year, Democrat Donald S. Beyer defeated Republican Michael P. Farris by a margin of 54 percent to 46 percent.

Since then, no other Democrat has been able to match the percentage Obama received in Virginia on Tuesday. In 2004, then Sen. Charles S. Robb (D) won reelection in a three-way race with less than 50 percent of the vote. In 2001, Warner received 52.2 percent in his bid for governor. Four years later, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) was elected with 51.7 percent of the vote. In 2005, Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) received 49.6 percent of the vote in his successful campaign.

If you exclude Warner by arguing his race this year against Republican James S. Gilmore III was never really competitive, Obama now holds the standard for a statewide Democratic candidate running in a post President Clinton-era Virginia election.

With rounding, Obama's winning margin over Republican John McCain was seven percentage points. The Virginia result tracks closely with Obama's 52.6 percent to McCain's 46.1 percent national popular vote margin, which could make the state a future bellwether in presidential contests.

Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) reports his office is being overwhelmed with requests for tickets to President-Elect Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony Jan. 20.

As of this morning, Webb's office had already fielded 15,000 requests for tickets. But there is one major problem: He expects he will have only 500 tickets to distribute.

"Space is limited and we have an extensive waiting list, but we will do our best to accommodate as many Virginians as possible," said Jessica Smith, a Webb spokeswoman.

Terry McAuliffe, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, filed paperwork today to run for governor of Virginia next year.

McAuliffe said he's still not certain he will formally enter the race, but plans to spend the next two months traveling around the state talking to voters. He will also begin assembling a campaign team.

In an interview today, McAuliffe says he will campaign as an outsider who will make improving the state's economy his central issue.

"Tim and Mark have done a great job, but they have continually been held back and I think Richmond has been a road block," said McAuliffe, referring to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and former governor Mark R. Warner (D). "Richmond is not doing what needs to be done in terms of forward thinking, big bold ideas and if I decide to run I will be all about big, bold ideas."

In what will be the first Democratic primary for governor in more than two decades, McAulliffe would face Del. Brian J. Moran (Alexandria) and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath) for the nomination.

A Washington Post Poll last month showed a three-way race is up for grabs, but McAuliffe said today he thinks he will be the strongest leader for the Democratic Party. McAuliffe, a proven fundraiser who lives in McLean, vowed he would "raise the resources to run a first class campaign" for governor as well as Democrats' efforts to reclaim the House of Delegates.

Eric Schmidt, the chairman and chief executive officer of GOOGLE, appears to have made his first foray into Virginia politics.

Schmidt, a supporter of President-Elect. Barack Obama, donated $10,000 to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's political action committee on Oct. 31, according to the State Board of Elections.

Schmidt made the donation to Moving Virginia Forward one day after he campaigned for Obama at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, it's the first time Schmidt has given any money to a Virginia political candidate or committee.

Less than one week after Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) became the President-Elect, the Virginia Republican Party is using the outcome of the election to try to raise money for a party that suffered a humiliating defeat at the polls.

On Nov. 4, Obama became the first Democratic nominee in 44 years to carry the Virginia and the party picked up one Senate and three House seats. The poor showing for the GOP has caused some party insiders to grumble that Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (Prince William) failed his first test as chairman of the Virginia Republican Party.

But Frederick is trying to capitalize on Obama's victory. Over the weekend, he sent out a fund-raising appeal warning donors the country will undergo "a radical shift" unless they donate to the state party. Frederick's appeal is based on a series of unsubstantiated rumors, including statements that Obama has already offered jobs in the administration to Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean.

Frederick then goes on to accuse Obama of wanting "massive new taxes and generous giveaways to his supporters," a 25 percent cut in the military budget, to divert the bailout money to ACORN, extend "welfare for millions who already pay no taxes," and give "welfare and drivers licenses for illegal aliens - with voting rights soon to follow."

In a sign there could be a huge Democratic turnout for tomorrow's election, two out of every 10 voters in Arlington County has already cast an absentee ballot.

According to statistics from the State Board of Elections, 22 percent of Arlington's 149,000 registered voters have submitted an absentee ballot. Democrats leaders are hoping that Barack Obama can get at least 75 percent of the vote in Arlington, a Democratic stronghold.

Arlington is on pace to double the statewide average. Earlier today, the State Board of Elections announced that about 10 percent of all registered voters statewide had already cast an absentee ballot.

But Arlington County has received 33,294 completed absentee ballots, three times as many as it process in the 2004 presidential race. That year, just 8 percent of registered voters in Arlington County voted by absentee ballot.

By comparison, traditionally Republican Virginia Beach has processed 21,383 absentee ballots so far year. That is twice as many as 2004, but still just 8 percent of the total number of registered voters.

Voters have until tomorrow evening to submit a completed absentee ballot to their local registrars office.

Sen. Barack Obama's election-eve rally tonight at the Prince William County Fairgrounds will be broadcast live in Alexandria's Market Square.

U.S. Rep. James P. Moran (D-Va.) and the Democratic Party of Virginia are setting up a jumbotron in the square so people who can't travel to Manassas can watch the event.

For years, Democrats have been ending their final election swing in Market Square, including an election-eve rally during the 2006 Senate race featuring Former President Bill Clinton.

At tonight's event, the band The Constituents will perform until the live-feed begins.

The Virginia Democratic Party failed to properly disclose a $200,000 donation it received in early September from a labor union, party officials admitted today.

In Virginia, there are no limits on how much an individual or organization can give to a political candidate or party, but all donations of $10,000 or more have to be reported to the State Board of Elections within three business days. The information is then uploaded on the State Board of Elections' website so the public can keep track of who is funding political committees and candidates.

On Sept. 4, the Laborers' Political League Education Fund gave the state party $200,000, which at the time was the largest contribution the state party had received in at least a decade, excluding transfers from candidates or other Democratic committees. But the state party never reported it until Oct. 15, when it filed its quarterly campaign finance report.

After being questioned by the Washington Post, party officials said they mistakenly failed to abide by the law.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain remain locked in a close race in Virginia, according to the final Mason Dixon Polling & Research Inc. survey.

The poll, conducted for several Virginia newspapers, has Obama drawing 47 percent vs. McCain's 44 percent. A Mason-Dixon Virginia poll two weeks ago had Obama ahed by 2-points, 47 to 45 percent..

According to the Virginian Pilot, pollster J. Bradford Coker found large numbers of white, undecided voters. Coker said McCain can still carry Virginia if those voters break his way during the final 48-hours of the campaign.

But Obama remains well-positioned to win Virginia. The Mason-Dixon poll shows him beating McCain by 30-points in Northern Virginia and by 10-points in Hampton Roads, a crucial battleground in statewide elections. McCain leads in the rest of the state.

In the 2006 Senate race, the final Mason-Dixon poll had U.S. Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) ahead of Republican George Allen by one-point, 46 percent to 45 percent. Two days later, Webb defeated Allen by about one-half percentage point.

An outside group is airing a harsh ad in the Richmond television market that seeks to connect Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama to William Ayers, who has confessed to domestic bombings as a member of the Vietnam War-era Weather Underground.

Obama has admitted to cursory interactions with Ayers, who lives in the Illinois senators Chicago neighborhood and teaches at a local university. But a man in the one-minute ad suggests people should be afraid of Obama because of Ayers.

"Senator Obama, we live in a world where terrorists wish to destroy us. How can we, with a clear conscious, elect a president with such, close documented ties to a terrorist?" the man states. "Senator Obama, How can we trust you? What happens when we elect the colleague of a terrorist to the White House? Please America, lets never find out."

The ad notes that Obama and Ayers once served together on a nonprofit board that distributed educational grants in Chicago. The independent group PolitiFact.com has called the GOP attacks on Obama for serving on the same board as Ayers "malicious."

In heavily-Democratic Richmond City, there was a five-hour wait today to vote in-person by absentee ballot. Hundreds of people, many in walkers and wheelchairs, waited in a line that snaked around City Hall.

"I wouldn't be able to come Tuesday cause I need assistance, I just had knee replacement," said Ella Garland, 64, who waited 5 hours. "It was worth it. Obama is worth it. I'd do it all again."

Patricia Scudder also waited with her ailing father in the line, but she wasn't nearly as up-beat when she emerged from City Hall.

"I thought we were going to be in and out," said Scudder, who wondered why there were only six voting machines set up. "My dad has dementia. He kept wanting to leave - he kept wanting water and then to go the bathroom - but I told him we had to stick it out for Obama."

Although many of the people in line said they were planning to vote for Obama, Lucile Hayes, 70, cast her vote for McCain.

"It was my duty for my country to come wait in line today because I have arthritis and did not know if could vote" Tuesday, Hayes said after her four-hour and 20 minute wait. "I just had surgery so I had to sit down a lot, but I am a Christian. God made me a Republican."

Since in-person absentee voting began in Virginia two weeks ago, Gloria Nash Allen has been volunteering for a local senior center to drive people to the polls. But yesterday she waited for hours while her husband, a trucker who would be on the road Tuesday, cast his ballot.

"I've never seen it like this before," said Allen. "It is amazing just watching them coming in wheelchairs and with walkers, and I know for a fact a lot of these people showing up have never voted before."

Barack Obama's campaign has launched a new ad responding to charges by the Republican National Committee and Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) that the Illinois senator and Democrats in Congress want to slash spending on defense.

The RNC began airing a television ad this week noting that U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was quoted recently as saying Democrats could push for a 25 percent cut in defense spending. Yesterday, GOP presidential nominee John McCain also released a radio ad in which Warner argues Obama's defense policies would be bad for Virginia's economy.

In its ad, the Obama campaign accuses the GOP of lying about his record.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama announced tonight his final event of the campaign will take place Monday evening in Northern Virginia.

Obama plans to hold a large rally in or near Manassas Park, although an exact location has yet to be determined.

Obama's decision to end his 20-month campaign in Virginia is yet another sign that he views Virginia, which last voted for a Democratic presidential nominee in 1964, as a crucial battleground. Obama has made 10 stops in Virginia since June, when he kicked off his general election campaign with stops in Bristol and at Nissan Pavilion near Manassas.

Considering Obama has drawn crowds that exceed 100,000, Monday night's rally could be a massive affair, although its unclear if the campaign can find a large venue in that part of Prince William County.

Organized labor continues to dump unprecedented amounts of money into the Virginia Democratic Party.

Last Tuesday, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association donated $205,000 to the party's state account. The air traffic controllers appear to have made the largest contribution to any Virginia political committee in at least a decade.

On the same day, the Communications Workers of America also donated $50,000 to the party.

"We appreciate the gift," said Levar Stoney, executive director of the Virginia Democratic Party.

Last month, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union donated $100,000 to the party's state account. Under Virginia law, individuals and organizations are not restricted on how much they can donate to a state political committee.

U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) hammered Barack Obama for a second consecutive day over his belief that the Democrat would cut defense spending and send Virginia's economy into a tailspin.

Warner also cut a hard-hitting radio on the subject that will begin airing in Hampton Roads tomorrow.

Speaking at an event in suburban Richmond, Warner noted that U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was quoted as saying recently that Democrats in Congress may slash defense spending by 25 percent. Obama, who has called for increased spending on defense, including more ground forces, has distanced himself from Frank's remarks.

But that didn't stop Warner from trying to use the issue to bolster his friend, GOP presidential nominee John McCain.

"This is serious, serious potential business," Warner, a former Secretary of the Navy, told about 50 McCain supporters at a rally. "For 30 years, I have been wrestling Democrats on cutting back defense and I can say with my hand-mate, John McCain, we have wrestled them back....We have to tell every single voter their vote goes to the heart of our national defense as well as the state's economy."

Warner remarks, however, were tame compared to those made by Maj. General Pat Brady, who during the Vietnam War became the first Army pilot to receive the Medal of Honor.

Two new polls out today show Sen. Barack Obama with a 4-point lead over Republican John McCain in Virginia.

The polls indicate that McCain is starting to gain a little ground on Obama in Virginia. Last week, several polls showed Obama with a lead of between 7 and 11 percentage points.

In a poll released today by National Journal, Obama draws 48 percent vs. McCain's 44 percent. A second poll by Marist College Institute for Public Opinion shows Obama leading McCain 51 percent to 47 percent among likely voters.

But only 2 percent of voters questioned in the Marist poll say they could switch their votes before Election Day, suggesting Obama is still well-positioned to withstand any late surge by McCain in Virginia.

Former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe appears to be inching closer to making up his mind about whether he plans to run for governor next year.

McAuliffe was a guest on the Larry King Live show on CNN last night in support of Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama.

King asked McAuliffe if he will run for governor next year.

"Well, we are going to get through Tuesday with Senator Obama and then I'm going to take a tour around the state of Virginia and talk to the voters, let the voters tell me where they think we stand and I'll make a decision quickly thereafter," McAuliffe said.

King responded, "That sounds like he is running."

The Republican National Committee is airing a new Virginia-specific ad to raise questions about whether Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama would slash defense spending.

The ad seeks to tie Obama to U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who was quoted last week as saying Democrats in Congress may seek a 25 percent cut in defense spending.

"America's safety depends on Virginia, and Virginia's economy depends on our military," a narrator says. "But what would happen if Barack Obama wins? One of Obama's top allies in Congress has already announced plans to cut our military by 25 percent. Twenty-five percent. What would that mean for your job?"

Kevin Griffis, an Obama spokesman, called the ad "dishonest and dishonorable." Griffis noted Obama has called for more defense spending, including additional ground forces to "finally finish the fight against Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda."

One year before voters go to the polls to elect a new governor, Virginia Democrats appear well positioned to stay in power and continue their winning streak in major state races, according to a new Washington Post poll.

In one of the first surveys to explore the 2009 political landscape, Democrats have a 17-point advantage when voters are asked which party they want to win the governor's race.

The question, included in a Washington Post Poll on the presidential race published Monday, highlights the challenges facing Republicans as more Virginia voters identify themselves as Democrats and independents.

Of registered voters, 48 percent prefer a Democratic governor vs. 31 percent who want a Republican.

Democrat Barack Obama holds a 7-point lead over Republican John McCain in Virginia, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.

In the survey conducted Wednesday through Sunday, Obama draws 49 percent among likely voters compared to McCain's 42 percent. By wide margins, Virginia voters trust Obama to address the economy, financial crisis and health care. The two candidates draw even on the question of who can best handle national security issues.

The Associated Press polled in Virginia along with seven other battleground states. Obama holds double-digit leads in Nevada, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Obama is up by at least 5 percentagage points in Colorado, Ohio and Virginia. He holds a two point advantage in North Carolina and Florida, according to the Associated Press.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), who is attending a rally in Norfolk this evening, will return to Hampton Roads Thursday night for an event at the Virginia Beach Amphitheatre.

The trip, which also follows a stop today in Harrisonburg, will be Obama's tenth visit to Virginia since June.

On Saturday, GOP presidential nominee John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, plan to hold multiple campaign events in Virginia, according to GOP officials. One of those stops will be in Virginia Beach.

The candidate visits are just a small part of the final push in Virginia to the Nov. 4 election. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) will campaign for Obama on Thursday and Friday. He plans to stop in Arlington, Falls Church, Charlottesville and Richmond. Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, will campaign in Portsmouth, Hampton, Clifton and Richmond for Obama Saturday. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) is also expected to stump for Obama and other Democrats in Virginia in the coming days, according to a statement from her office.

Meanwhile, McCain's mother, Roberta, will kick off a three-day tour of Virginia on Wednesday that will take her to every corner of the state. Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) and several prominent veterans will campaign for McCain in Virginia Beach, Richmond and Arlington on Thursday.

Former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will campaign for his one-time rival, John McCain, tomorrow in Southwestern Virginia.

Huckabee was the last Republican to drop out of the race nomination after McCain opened a clear delegate lead. Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and Baptist preacher, proved to be popular in many rural communities in the south. Although McCain carried Virginia during the Feb. 12 primary, Huckabee performed well in Southwest Virginia. Huckabee will be campaigning with Sandy Froman, a former president of the National Rifle Association.

Meanwhile, Democrat Barack Obama is relying on musicians to help him turn out voters in Richmond. On Sunday, Dave Matthews performed a free concert in support of Obama at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Sheryl Crow, a nine-time Grammy winner, is also appearing at an event for Obama today in Richmond.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) is boldly predicting that Democrats will pick up at least two GOP-held congressional seats in Virginia this year.

In an interview on WTOP, Kaine said he expects that Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) will win the seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.). Considering the Democratic tilt of Davis's Northern Virginia district, Kaine's prediction on that race isn't much of a surprise.

But Kaine said he also expects that either GOP Reps. Frank Wolf, Virgil Goode or Thelma Drake will be unseated next week. Of those races, Drake would appear to be the most threatened incumbent due to the demographics of her Tidewater district, but Goode is also locked in a tough fight with Democrat Tom Perriello in Southside.

"They are all races that are doable depending on the size of the Obama turnout," Kaine said. "In all of those districts, strong Democratic turnout should help the challengers. I think we will win at least two and maybe more."

The Washington Post Virginia poll published today includes one finding that may have caused a few Republicans to grimace: Democrat Barack Obama has a 15-point advantage over Republican John McCain on the issue of taxes.

A historicaly low tax state, Virginia Republicans have been using the tax issue for decades to gain advantage. But Virginia voters by a margin of 54 percent to 39 percent say they trust Obama more than McCain to handle tax policy.

But the question breaks down along economic lines, which may still allow the issue to work in Republicans' favor. By an 11-point margin, white voters with household incomes under $50,000 a year side with Obama on the issue. Those white voters who make more than $50,000 side with McCain by an almost equal margin.

That may be one potential bright spot for the GOP nominee as he tries to improve his standing in well-off Northern Virginia, where Obama is leading 2 to 1.

Part of the problem for McCain in Northern Virginia, however, does not have to do with any issue. The poll suggests that McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, has turned into a big liability in Northern Virginia. Palin's unfavorable rating now stands at 62 percent in Northern Virginia, and the vast majority of those voters have a "strongly" negative reaction to her.

It's that time of year.

Virginia Democratic officials say someone is handing out fliers in Hampton Roads that mislead Democrats and Independents into thinking the election is Wednesday, Nov. 5.

The election is actually on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

The flier, which includes numerous misspelled words, appears as if it is written on official State Board of Elections stationary.

"For Immediate Release," it states. "Due to the larger than expected voter turnout in this year's electorial process (the word electoral is misspelled), an emergency session of the General Assembly has adopted the following emergency regulations to ease the load on local electorial precincts and ensure the a fair electorial process."

It continues, "All Republican party supporters and independent voters supporting Republican candidates shall vote on November 4th as pecribed by law. All Democratic party supporters and independent voters supporting Democratic candidates shall vote on November 5th as adopted by emergency regulation of the Virginia General Assembly."

Coming on the heels of this morning's Washington Post Virginia poll that showed Democrat Barack Obama with an 8-point lead over Republican John McCain, Virginia Commonwealth University plans to release a statewide poll today.

According to an advance copy, VCU also finds Obama with a healthy lead in Virginia. Among likely voters, Obama is drawing 51 percent compared to McCain's 40 percent, according to VCU.

"Obama's lead looks strong in both Northern Virginia as well as in the Tidewater region," said Cary Funk, director of the Commonwealth Poll and associate professor at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

Obama is up by 27-points in Northern Virginia in the VCU poll, compared to his 30-point lead in the region in the Washington Post poll. VCU also has Obama leading McCain by 21 points in Tidewater; the Washington Post pegged the Democrat's lead there at 17 percentage points. In both polls, Obama is drawing between 38 percent and 45 percent in all other, more conservative regions, of the state.

VCU also found that Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's job approval rating is slipping. Just 48 percent of voters rate Kaine's job performance as excellent or good, a 6-point decline since May. Nearly half of Virginians now say Virginia has gotten off on the wrong direction, according to VCU.

With Democrat Mark R. Warner holding onto a steady 30-point lead in the U.S. Senate race, there have not been many independent groups investing resources in Virginia this year trying to sway the outcome of his race against Republican James S. Gilmore III.

But the National Right to Work Committee has apparently decided to invest a least a little bit of money on television ads to try to undercut Warner's appeal.

The committee is airing an ad on Richmond television that calls into question whether Warner will uphold Virginia's status as a right-to-work state. The ad notes Warner has not come out against the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to unionize.

Gilmore is a strong opponent of the proposal. Gilmore also received a boost today when he picked up an endorsement from the Richmond Times Dispatch. Although the endorsement was tepid, it marks his first endorsement from a major Virginia newspaper.

For the third time in six weeks, the McCain campaign has to adjust where Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin holds a rally in Virginia because she is proving to be such a big draw.

The campaign announced today that Palin's visit Monday to Salem, located near Roanoke, is being moved from the city's civic center to the Salem Football Field to accommodate the expected crowd. Gail Gitcho, a McCain spokeswoman, said there has been "overwhelming response" for tickets for the event.

Two weeks ago, a Palin rally in Richmond had to be relocated to the parking lot of the Richmond Motor Speedway because of demand to see her. And in early September, a McCain-Palin rally in Fairfax City scheduled for a high school gymnasium had to be moved to a city park after all the tickets were snatched up in hours.

Although many Democrats believe Palin is one reason Democrat Barack Obama appears headed for a huge showing in Northern Virginia, she has higher favorable ratings in Virginia then she does nationwide.

In a Washington Post-ABC News tracking poll conducted Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 51 percent of voters nationwide said they have a negative impression of her. But a Mason-Dixon Virginia poll conducted earlier in the week showed just 39 percent of Virginians held a negative view of Palin.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain's campaign is stepping up the pressure on Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Democrat Barack Obama over Kaine's decision to restore voting rights for about 3,000 felons since he took office.

In a conference call with Virginia reporters today, former Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore and former governor George Allen accused Kaine and Obama of engaging in a "conspiracy" to put more felons on the voting rolls.

The McCain campaign noted that one man who had his rights restored by Kaine in 2006 has a prior conviction for sexual battery.

"How many additional murders, rapists and drug dealers have been added to the rolls?" Kilgore asked. "We need to know that."

The McCain campaign also released a video in which Penny Blue appears on a television station in Southside in June and instructs felons how they can apply to Kaine to have their voting rights restored. Blue identifies herself as an Obama "coordinator." She was also an Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention. But the Obama campaign said Thursday she is not on its payroll and was speaking on her own behalf.

The Virginia Democratic Party's coordinated campaign took in nearly $3 million during the first 15 days of the month, according to federal finance reports filed today.

This comes as both political parties are vowing to spend unprecedented amounts of money in Virginia in the days leading up to the Nov. 4 election.

The coordinated campaign, a partnership between Barack Obama's presidential campaign and Democratic congressional candidates, is designed to turn out voters on Election Day. Since the start of the year, the coordinated campaign has raised $10.6 million. It has $1.6 million in the bank.

The campaign, which pays the salaries of 266 staffers and field organizers, took in a crush of money earlier this month from various labor unions and donors from across the country.

Obama's campaign also transferred about $1 million to the state party earlier this month. Democratic Senate candidate Mark R. Warner and the Democratic National Committee also diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars to the state party, according to the finance report.

The Virginia Republican Party reports it has just under $1 million in its federal account.

WJLA in Washington reported tonight that GOP presidential nominee John McCain's brother, Joe, apparently called Alexandria's 911 emergency system earlier this week to complain about traffic.

According to the report, a man berated the 911 operator with an expletive after being told he shouldn't be calling to complain about traffic on the Beltway. When the operator called back, he got a voice mail that said, "Hi, this is Joe McCain, I can't take this message now because I am involved in a very important family political project."

After the operator left a message, the man called 911 again to complain about being given the "riot act."

Gail Gitcho, a McCain spokeswoman, declined comment.

Joe McCain has been campaigning across Virginia for his brother. Last month, Joe McCain made news at a campaign stop in Loudoun County when he referred to Arlington and Alexandria as "communist country." He later apologized, saying he was trying to make a joke.

Democrat Glenn Nye, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake (R-Va.), announced tonight that the Virginian Pilot has endorsed him.

In the editorial, The Pilot said Nye has the "bipartisan instincts" and the "experience in the world" to serve the 2nd District, which includes the Virginia Beach area.

Two years ago, The Pilot endorsed Drake in her race against Democratic candidate Phil Kellam. The endorsement was widely credited with helping Drake win reelection in what otherwise was a very big year for Democratic candidates.

But Nye, a 33-year-old career diplomat, still faces an uphill climb in defeating Drake this year. The National Republican Congressional Campaign committee is airing a hard-hitting ad that questions Nye's experience.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama took a swipe at Nancy Pfotenhauer, an adviser to Republican John McCain, when he took the stage a huge outdoor rally in Loudoun County this evening.

On Saturday, Pfotenhauer said on MSNBC that Democratic-leaning Northern Virginia isn't "real Virginia" because it's being infiltrated with people moving in from Washington D.C. Pfotenhauer added she was confident McCain can carry the state on Nov. 4 by winning "real Virginia" that is " is more southern in nature."

"I know some folks may not think so, but this looks like real Virginia to me," Obama told the crowd gathered at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg. "This looks like authentic Virginia and you look like real Virginians."

Later in the speech, Obama noted he has campaigned in the state eight times since June. "I haven't seen a real Virginia and a fake Virginia, I've just seen Virginia."

Regardless of how you classify Northern Virginia, it's looking as if the region could deliver Virginia's 13 electoral votes to Obama. Two different polls released today showed Obama beating McCain 2-to-1 in vote-rich Northern Virginia.

The Obama campaign estimates there were about 35,000 people at the rally.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are locked in an extremely close race in Virginia, according to a new poll by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research Inc. for NBC News and several newspapers.

In the survey, Obama receives 47 percent of the vote compared to McCain's 45 percent. But the survey indicates Obama has been gaining ground in Virginia. In a Mason-Dixon poll earlier this month, McCain led Obama by a margin of 48 percent to 45 percent.

The poll finds Obama with a 30 -point lead in Northern Virginia, 61 percent to 31 percent. McCain leads by 23 percentage points in the Shenandoah Valley, and by 15 points in Southwest Virginia. He holds a smaller 11-point edge in the Richmond media market, but Obama now has a 5-point advantage in the critical Hampton Roads region.

Another Virginia poll commissioned by CNN has Obama leading McCain by 10 percentage points. Obama draws 54percent of the vote compared to McCain's 44 percent, according to the CNN poll, which was released today.

With Election Day approaching, the four major candidates for governor next year almost certainly have one fact about Virginia politics on their minds: Since 1976, the party that wins the White House loses the governor's race the following year.

Virginia is one of only two states to have a governor's race the year following a presidential contest. And because Virginia voters have developed a reputation for shunning the party that controls the White House, the national pundits often use the outcome to suggest that a new president is off to a rocky start.

But that could all change next year.

If Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama wins the White House, the organization he has built in Virginia this year holds the potential to alter Virginia's political landscape into the next decade.

The Virginia Democratic Party has raised nearly four times as much money as the state GOP over the past four months, according to campaign finance reports.

Friday was the deadline for both parties to submit state campaign finance reports that show how much money each side has in its state account.

From July 1 to Sept. 30, the Virginia Democratic Party raised $732,000. It now has $444,000 in the bank to use to influence the outcome of state races. The Republican Party of Virginia raised $196,000. It has $144,000 in the bank.

Although the money in each account is generally restricted to state races, a portion of it can be transferred to the respective party's federal account. Those accounts, which must abide by federal fundraising restrictions, can be used to finance get out the vote efforts in this year's presidential and congressional races.

The Virginia Democratic Party has transferred more than $200,000 to its federal account since July 1, suggesting its fundraising advantage over the GOP is not as great as it may appear.

The Republican National Committee is almost exclusively funding the party's federal efforts in Virginia this year, allowing the state party to concentrate the bulk of its resources on next year's gubernatorial and state legislative elections.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's political action committee raised $261,000 from 36 individuals or entities from July 1 to September 30, according to recently released campaign finance reports.

The PAC, Moving Virginia Forward, spent $286,000 during the quarter and now has $154,000 in the bank.

As was the case in the first half of the year, Kaine raised very little money from small donors, instead relying on those who can afford to write large checks. Kaine received three $500 contributions, but all of his other reportable donors gave at least $2,000. Kaine also received $375 from donors who do not have to be identified in the report because they gave less than $100.

One man, businessman R.J. Kirk, donated $100,000 to the PAC last month.

The bulk of Kaine's political spending went toward staff salaries and the costs associated with attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver. But the PAC also bought a $3,500 gift from the US Department of the Treasury on Sept. 25, and it shelled out $20,500 to Kaine's pollster on Sept. 23.

The smallest expenditure occurred on Sept. 10, when someone bought $2.32 in food or drink from Arbys.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will make his eighth campaign stop in Virginia on Wednesday when he holds a rally at the 13,000-seat Richmond Coliseum.

The rally, which follows an event GOP vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin held in Richmond a week ago, will begin at noon.

Obama's campaign is also bringing musician Dave Matthews to Richmond on Sunday.

Matthews and guitarist Tim Reynolds will perform a free concert at Virginia Commonwealth University to encourage people to vote on Election Day.