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Since our last State of the Race email, Barack Obama has continued to lead John McCain in a number of recent polls. Public Policy Polling had Barack up by 8 last Tuesday. A Suffolk University poll had Senator Obama leading by 12 on the 5th. And on that same day, a Fox/Rasmussen poll showed Barack with a 2 point lead. But this election is a long ways from being over... This week, the rest of the nation saw what we already know: the Republican Party of Virginia is willing to stoop to the lowest form of attacks in a desperate...

John McCain Visiting Prince William County This Saturday! John McCain Needs You to Show Up! McCain Rally DATE: Saturday, October 18 TIME: Gates Open at 1:00PM, Rally begins at 2:00PM LOCATION: Sean Connaughton Plaza Prince William County Complex 1 County Complex Court (Located located off the Prince William County Parkway) Woodbridge, VA 22192 MORE: Tickets are available Online by visiting Here. You can also pick up your tickets at the Fairfax County Republican Committee HQ, located at 4246 Chainbridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. Our office is open 9AM-9PM. Any questions, please e-mail: virginia@johnmccain.com or by calling 703-766-4467. Tickets are available...

The Virginia State Board of Elections has unanimously adopted a policy that prohibits voters from wearing anything that expressly supports a candidate at polling places on November 4. State law has always said no campaigning, but all 134 Virginia counties had different ways of interpreting that. "Some very permissive, allowing people to wear anything in; some only removing stickers; others not allowing t-shirts, caps or anything with a candidates name," Virginia State Board of Elections Chair Jean Cunningham said. But some say even this policy leaves the door open for interpretation. "Interpreting other people's speech on their t-shirts and buttons...

Islamic leaders tied by federal investigators to the radical Muslim Brotherhood in America – including one under active investigation for alleged terror-financing – have recently donated to Sen. Barack Obama's campaign for president, according to Federal Election Commission records reviewed by WND. Jamal M. Barzinji earlier this year gave Obama $1,000, a gift that records show has not been returned. Other Democratic candidates, including Rep. Jim Moran, have refunded donations from Barzinji since federal agents raided his Virginia home and offices in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Obama's top Muslim adviser resigned earlier this month over controversy surrounding his...

Sarah Palin, engagingly attired in a white shirt and a short skirt, electrifies another gigantic audience. The video is right HERE.

The Obama campaign goes up in Virginia with its first ad featuring Senator Jim Webb, who offers a strong and personal defense of Barack Obama on guns and assures Virginians that Obama will protect our country's "greatness." We obtained the radio spot, and it's a strong one, starting off with an "important message to Virginia sportsmen and working families": Click To Play In the ad, Webb, a Vietnam vet and gun enthusiast, recounts his own gun history -- his dad gave him his first rifle when he was eight -- and goes on to explain that gun-love runs in his...

Video is right here.

Radford, groups clash over voter registration A student protest has been called off, but the voting rights controversy behind it continues. Tracy Howard, Radford's registrar, is paying special attention to voter registration applications that cite a Radford University dorm room as a potential voter's address, but a student organization and the ACLU of Virginia say that's illegal. Howard says he's following Virginia law the same way he has for 16 years. "If they give me only a dorm address," he said, "they will be sent something called a pending denial. It says that you need to have a street address,...

ABC News' Kate Snow and Imtiyaz Delawala Report: Hank Williams Jr. sure knows how to get a crowd goin'. On a small stage in the middle of a sea of red t-shirts at the Richmond International Raceway this afternoon, Williams stood a few feet from Governor Sarah Palin to sing the Star Spangled Banner. But it was his next song that was a surefire hit in this conservative crowd.

By JEFF E. SCHAPIRO RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH Published: October 14, 2008 Vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin dashed into the conservative heartland of Virginia yesterday, likening the struggling Republican ticket to a stock-car racer revved for a come-from-behind victory. Standing on a sun-baked stage on a dusty field on the edge of Richmond International Raceway, Palin referred to Jimmie Johnson’s squeaker win last month in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at the sprawling NASCAR complex in Henrico County. Dismissing polls that show her and presidential nominee John McCain trailing nationally—and in traditionally Republican Virginia—Palin said, “It’s looking a lot like that Rock...

At Richmond International Raceway, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin likened the last three weeks of the presidential race to last month's close finish at the raceway in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. "You all know something about close races" she told the crowd of between 20,000 and 25,000. "John McCain and I are nearing the finish line of another close race," and it will be a sprint to the finish.

Liberal Democrat Mark Warner calls the NRA, people of faith, pro-lifers and home schoolers a threat to America. AUDIO

I was at the McCain/Palin rally today!!The crowd was HUGE!! I think I heard that it totaled over 20,000.I have posted some pics and tell me what YOU think!If you asked me, I think it was closer to about 40,000!It was a hot sunny day (perfect for a rally) and Sarah had a nice suprise for us! Hank Williams Jr. came to sing the national anthem!What an awsome day!!!!So here are some of the pics.....

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain delivered the following remarks at the McCain-Palin 2008 rally in Virginia Beach, VA: Three weeks from now, you will choose a new President. Choose well. There is much at stake....... The next President won't have time to get used to the office. He won't have the luxury of studying up on the issues before he acts. He will have to act immediately. And to do that, he will need experience, courage, judgment and a bold plan of action to take this country in a new direction. We cannot spend the next four years...

Palin holding rally at RIR today

Three weeks before Election Day, John McCain on Monday unveiled a feisty new stump speech in which he portrayed himself as a scrappy fighter on the comeback trail against an opponent who’s already “measuring the drapes” in the Oval Office. Appearing in Virginia Beach with his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain said to applause that "what America needs in this hour is a fighter, someone who puts all his cards on the table and trusts the judgment of the American people." "Now, my friends, let me give you the state of the race today and some straight talk,"...

RICHMOND, VA - Gov. Sarah Palin added a line attacking her opponent for opposing gun rights Monday, while crooner Hank Williams, Jr., changed the lines of his song to fit the political event. "We believe in the forward movement of freedom, not the constant expansion of government," Palin told a crowd at the Richmond International Speedway Monday. "And though Barack Obama disagrees, that freedom includes ... the rights and liberties under the Second Amendment." Palin spoke to a crowd of about 20,000 people, according to the Associated Press. A large part of the crowd in the back could not hear...

This is the song that opened the Virginia rally today.It's hot!

GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin continued attacking Democratic nominee Barack Obama before a crowd of roughly 20,000 outside the Richmond International Raceway, while also promising that she and John McCain would help revive the U.S. economy. Suggesting that Obama would undermine a possible American victory in Iraq -- "Just once I would like to hear Barack Obama say he'd like America to win" -- Palin said the Democrat would jeopardize the economy further by raising taxes and expanding the federal government. SNIP Kilgore sought to bolster the mood of the crowd by attacking the media, suggesting reporters were trying...

  Join Sarah Palin & Jim Gilmore in Richmond!   Join former Governor Jim Gilmore and Governor Sarah Palin at the McCain-Palin Campaign rally on Monday, October 13th at the Richmond International Raceway. Gates to the event will open and 11:00 a.m. and the program is expected to start at 2:00 p.m. Jim Gilmore will deliver remarks during the program. WHAT: Palin Rally WHEN: Monday, October 13, 2008 Gates open at 11:00 a.m. Program begins at 2:00pm Jim Gilmore to deliver remarks during the program. WHERE: Richmond International Raceway 600 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA Click here for a...

I am not a party voter. I have voted for Democrats, Republicans and even 'third party' candidates like Ross Perot. The way I roll is to vote for the person that I think will do the best job. For instance, I am voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin. I don't think Obama has the country's best interests at heart. I think he is naive and is likely to make some very costly mistakes because of it. I would love to have a national health care plan, but that is not enough to make me vote for a man I...

The Obama campaign Muslim outreach director, Minha Husaini, met with the Council of American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim American Society, groups linked with terror groups the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. This is the second outreach director in a row who seems to have no ethical or moral problem in touching base with groups that support terror. Obama Mideast advisor Robert Malley met with Hamas (and was forced to resign - for now). He has been going to Syria of late (Syrian Banking on Obama Victory, Invites Advisors), as has Zbigniew Brzezinski - another foreign policy expert linked to Barack Obama....

STAUNTON — With fewer than 25 days left until election day, candidates and supporters gathered to rally voters Saturday at the monthly Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County Republican breakfast. Advertisement Quantcast Showing their support for Sen. John McCain's presidential candidacy, younger brother Joe McCain and former Gov. Jim Gilmore encouraged Republicans to spend the next month putting in a final bid to independents and Democrats for their votes. Pushing not only financial donations but also grassroots efforts, both men urged Republicans to canvas for McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whom Gilmore called an "exciting, fresh, new...

t can't be easy being Jim Gilmore these days. Republican leaders in Washington long ago wrote off his campaign for the U.S. Senate. Political action groups have closed their checkbooks. Some Virginia GOP elders have endorsed his opponent. Pollsters have him trailing by 25 percentage points - or worse. So what keeps him going? The answer may lie - at least in part - in the former governor's pugnacious personality, what he's done, and where he came from. The Senate race is the kind of challenge that brought Gilmore into politics in the 1970s; he is both experienced and comfortable...

www.rpv.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Venue change announced for Gov. Palin Rally in Richmond on Monday Demand for tickets overwhelming Richmond, Virginia (October 11, 2008) ? The McCain/Palin campaign has announced a venue change for Governor Sarah Palin's campaign stop in Richmond on Monday. Due to overwhelming demand for rally tickets, the Richmond rally has been moved from the Arthur Ashe Center to the Richmond International Raceway. In addition, the program time has been moved to 2:00 p.m. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. "Enthusiasm continues to run high for the McCain/Palin ticket, and Virginians are excited to welcome back Senator...

Senate Candidate Gov. Gilmore works out with SEAL Team PT  He joined us for a 5:45 workout and earned my vote just for showing up. See if you can pick out the former governor and first lady from the boat crew.

  Weekend Door to Door Opportunities Arlington Saturday, 9:30 AM McCain Victory HQ 1235 S. Clark St, in Crystal City Contact Jesse Mallory, jesse@jimgilmoreforsenate.com Chesapeake Saturday, time TBD Chesapeake GOP HQ 124 Battlefield Blvd Contact Jarrett Ray, jarrett@jimgilmoreforsenate.com Chester Saturday, 9:30am Meet at Thomas Dale High School parking lot 3626 W Hundred Rd, Chester, Virginia 23831 Contact: Gabby Bergeret, (804) 721-2092, bergeretgf@msn.com Chesterfield Saturday, 9:30am Meet @ Shoppes at Bellgrade in the Kroger parking lot 11400 Huguenot Road, Midlothian VA 23113 Contact: Julie Coggsdale, (804) 314-2715, jecoggsd@gmail.com Fairfax CountyDranesville District Dranesville Republican Headquarters 6623 Old Dominion Drive in McLean...

The Obama campaign’s Muslim outreach director participated in a meeting in mid September that was attended by several controversial Muslim activists, NBC News has learned. The Obama campaign now concedes that was a misjudgment, and that its top Muslim staffer would not have attended the meeting if she had known the full participant list beforehand. “Would a campaign staffer have attended if they were aware of the complete list of attendees? No,” said Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt in an email statement to NBC. The Muslim outreach meeting On September 15, newly named Muslim outreach director Minha Husaini spoke to a...

(CNN) – Hockey Moms might be the hot political demographic of the moment, but NASACAR Dads haven't been forgotten. The McCain campaign is moving Sarah Palin's Monday appearance from the Arthur Ashe Center in downtown Richmond, Virginia — capacity 6,000 — to a much larger outdoor venue: the Richmond International Raceway, which hosts two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races yearly and can accommodate over 100,000 people. The campaign doesn't expect to fill all those seats, but McCain's mid-Atlantic regional director Trey Walker said the demand for Palin tickets has nearly quadrupled the capacity of the original event site, the Arthur...

The Obama campaign’s Muslim outreach director participated in a meeting in mid September that was attended by several controversial Muslim activists, NBC News has learned. The Obama campaign now concedes that was a misjudgment, and that its top Muslim staffer would not have attended the meeting if she had known the full participant list beforehand. “Would a campaign staffer have attended if they were aware of the complete list of attendees? No,” said Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt in an email statement to NBC. The Muslim outreach meeting On September 15, newly named Muslim outreach director Minha Husaini spoke to a...

McCain's mother makes appearance at Peanut FestivalGrandma Power! SUFFOLK, VA. (WAVY.com)-- Amidst the sights and sounds at the Suffolk Peanut Festival came a taste of politics.At a stretch of white tents, voters picked up signs for the Democrats and signatures for the Republicans.Senator John McCain's mother, Roberta greeted voters at the Republican tent.  Miki Miller watched as the 96-year-old paid special attention to the children,  those whose future could be in the hands of her son.  "She was asking some of them if they knew their multiplication tables you know. She hoped their handwriting was better than her's because we were having her sign stuff...

Road to Victory Rally: in Richmond, VA with Governor Sarah Palin What: Road to Victory Rally: in Richmond, VA with Governor Sarah Palin When: October 13, 2008 Starts at 1:00 p.m. Where: The Arthur Ashe Center 3017 North Boulevard Richmond, VA 23230 Show your support by wearing RED to remind everyone to keep Virginia Red this November! For additonal questions or concerns, please email: RichmondRally@JohnMcCain.com Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Program starts at 1:00 p.m. Ticket Distribution Sites Tickets are available online or by visiting one of the designated Virginia Victory offices between 9:00am and 9:00 p.m. EDT. (Please see...

WASHINGTON -- If you're a Democrat who needs help getting the votes of rural white folks, the go-to guy is David "Mudcat" Saunders, a central-casting political consultant recently made famous by a parade of magazine writers led by The Weekly Standard's Matt Labash. But sometimes you can learn more about a people and their place through literature than by hiring consultants. So I called Ron Rash, poet, author and purebred Appalachian whose newest novel, "Serena," should be at the top of Barack Obama's reading list. Sarah Palin might enjoy it as well. Described by one blurber as "an Appalachian retelling...

Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) -- Mark Warner is a former Virginia governor who is running for a U.S. Senate seat and is a strong supporter of Barack Obama. A new audio recording has surfaced showing Warner saying that pro-life advocates and other conservatives are "threatening to what it means to be an American." The remark is making the rounds of the Internet and reminding pro-life voters of the off-putting comment Obama made in Pennsylvania earlier in the campaign that conservative and pro-life rural voters "cling to guns or religion." Warner's Republican opponent and former Gov. Jim Gilmore has already turned the...

The Vietnamese Americans for McCain-Palin Coalition will hold an endorsement rally for McCain-Palin at Marriott Hotel-Fairview Park, Falls Church, Virginia on October 11, 2008. Civic, business and political leaders will join hundreds of community members to express their strong support for Senator McCain to be the next President of the United States. As one of the largest ethnic communities in Northern Virginia, Vietnamese Americans will play an important role in determining the outcome of battleground Virginia.

WASHINGTON, Oct 09, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Today, FRC Action decried comments made by Democrat Party Senate candidate Mark Warner. Warner, who served formerly as Governor of Virginia, was recently recorded speaking at a Democratic Party event. In his speech, Warner accused pro-lifers, homeschoolers, and members of the National Rifle Association, as threatening to "what it means to be an American." Warner said that "one of the things you're going to see is a coalition that has just about completely taken over the Republican Party in the state [Virginia] and if they have their way, it's going to take...

For the first time since 1964, Democrats actually have a chance of winning Virginia's 13 electoral votes. Barack Obama is up 4.8% according to the Real Clear Politics average, and according to Nate Silver, Virginia could be one of this election's decisive swing states. And, in a state with 161 colleges and 483,159 students, the predominantly Democratic youth vote could play a huge role in tipping the election Obama's way. But there's a hold-up: Virginia's local laws make it exceedingly difficult for students to register in their college towns. Indeed, though other states like Idaho and Tennessee also make student...

October 9, 2008 Dear xxxxxx: Two significant events have occurred regarding elementary and secondary education funding this week. In order of importance, the Governor released his budget cuts at an 11 a.m. press conference. Kaine's press release began: Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the official revenue reforecast, and immediately announced an executive spending reduction plan to meet the fiscal year 2009 shortfall. The Governor's plan reduces government spending by making operations more efficient and reducing the scope of some government programs, while protecting K-12 education and other critical government functions, like public safety. Thankfully, P-12 funding was spared for...

FIGHT FOR JIM GILMORE By Dick Armey Dear Virginia Taxpayer, I know what it's like to fight for what you believe in. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 18 years, and the Majority Leader from 1995 to 2002, I know it takes courage and dedication to stand up for working families and protect taxpayers who are facing an ever growing burden as a result of what's happening in Washington. There is always someone who believes bigger government and higher taxes are the answer to every problem, someone determined to take away more and more of...

hancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. often says Liberty University students are the best — and the results of his campus-wide campaign to register student voters locally is giving him one more reason to believe it. As of Monday’s 4 p.m. registration deadline, LU Commuter Affairs officials had collected and submitted 4,200 forms to the Lynchburg, Va., city registrar. “I’m proud of the students for stepping forward and registering and showing an interest in what’s happening in government. I think it’s a testament to how committed our students are to making a difference,” said Falwell Jr. Falwell is still receiving several links...

Warner: Scalia Thomas Not Mainstream Jim Gilmore supports constitutionalist judges and supports the overturn of Roe v Wade calling it a bad decision. Mark Warner says justices Scalia and Thomas are outside the mainstream when asked about Roe v Wade and the justices he would support. Roanoke VA Senate Debate Friday October 3, 2008 Warner: Scalia Thomas Not Mainstream  

This audio clip shows just how intolerant Mark Warner is. "...one of the things you're going to see is a coalition that has just about completely taken over the Republican Party in this State; and if they have their way, they're going to take over the State Government. It's made up of the Christian Coalition. It's made up of the right to lifers. It's made up of the NRA. It's made up of the home schoolers. It's made up of a whole coalition of people that all sorts of different views that I think most of us in this room...

WRVA VA DOES MARK WARNER'S COMMENTS FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO CHANGE YOUR MIND IN THE SENATE RACE? Yes. It's his "macaca" moment. 24.09 % No. It was years ago and it's old news. 10.22 % No. And Warner's right. 5.84 %

Earmark Mark Roanoke Debate Friday October 3, 2008 Mark Warner says he will accept Earmarks. Jim Gilmore says he will not. Jim discusses Earmarks in the bailout bill and says it was wrong.  

October 8, 2008 Republican Jim Gilmore wants another debate with Democrat Mark Warner in the Virginia Senate race. Gilmore says in light of the recent financial situation, a debate is the best way to show voters the candidates' real positions. The former governor says he would like to work with the League of Women voters to schedule the event.

Arlington, Virginia (October 6, 2008) – McCain-Palin 2008 announced that John McCain and Sarah Palin will campaign in Virginia on Monday, October 13th. Senator McCain and Govenor Palin will hold a rally in Virginia Beach at 10:00 a.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Following the Virginia Beach event, Governor Palin will travel to Richmond to hold a 1:00 p.m. rally at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond. Virginia Campaign Co-Chair, Attorney General Bob McDonnell said, "Voters statewide are excited to have the next President and Vice President of the United States bring their message of reform back to Virginia....

The National Rifle Assn. is about to turn up the volume on its campaign against Barack Obama, airing more ads taking him to task over his gun record. Starting as early as Sunday, the NRA will be airing a new batch of spots in more battleground states, such as Ohio, Virginia and Florida. As colleague Noam Levey reported back in June, some say the NRA is losing sway. But Democrats, who generally favor restrictions on guns, still shy away from the issue, particularly in must-win swing states. The NRA already is up with spots in Colorado, New Mexico and Pennsylvania....

What: Road to Victory Rally: in Richmond, VA with Governor Sarah Palin When: October 13, 2008 Starts at 1:00 p.m. Where: The Arthur Ashe Center 3017 North Boulevard Richmond, VA 23230 Join Governor Sarah Palin at a campaign rally Monday, October 13th at the Arthur Ashe Center. Tickets are available online or by visiting one of the designated Virginia Victory offices between 9:00am and 9:00 p.m. EDT If you have any questions please email: richmondrally@johnmccain.com

ARLINGTON, VA -- McCain-Palin 2008 announced that John McCain and Sarah Palin will campaign in Virginia on Monday, October 13th. Senator McCain and Govenor Palin will hold a rally in Virginia Beach at 10:00 a.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Following the Virginia Beach event, Governor Palin will travel to Richmond to hold a 1:00 p.m. rally at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond. Virginia Campaign Co-Chair, Attorney General Bob McDonnell said, "Voters statewide are excited to have the next President and Vice President of the United States bring their message of reform back to Virginia. John McCain and...

Republican presidential nominee John McCain and his vice-presidential running mate, Sarah Palin, will appear in Virginia Beach next Monday morning at the resort city's convention center. That afternoon, Palin will stump in Richmond. She'll be the headliner at a rally at the Arthur Ashe Center.