A Nov. 6 article incorrectly said that the father of Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) had been a Super Bowl- winning Redskins coach. The elder George Allen led the team to Super Bowl VII in 1973, but the Redskins lost to the Miami Dolphins.
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Candidates Making Final Push to Break Out
U.S. Senate candidate Jim Webb greets supporters at a Buchanan County rally, where he was joined by former Nebraska senator Bob Kerrey (D) and Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.).
(By Melina Mara -- The Washington Post)
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"This isn't a time for experimentation and for turning back the clock, which is what George's opponents want to do," Giuliani told the crowd of about 200 in Ashburn. "President Bush and the Republican Party have decided we're going to be on offense, and George Allen understands that."
Giuliani had a similar message for Ehrlich supporters: "He is a darn good governor, and he's doing a very good job," Giuliani, a possible 2008 presidential contender, told a crowd of about 200 at a firehouse in Prince George's. "You don't turn the clock back."
Hours later, on the other side of the partisan divide, Clinton arrived at an ornate reception hall of a church in the same county, a majority-black jurisdiction that is home to more Democrats than any other county in Maryland.
"I wanted to be here because I know Ben Cardin, I know Martin O'Malley, and I know what's going on in this country," Clinton said. "There are people all over America who would give anything to have people like this to vote for."
In two days, the candidates will know their fate: Win or lose. In or out. Staying or leaving.
With all three races very close, political parties in both states wonder what message voters will send tomorrow. Wins by Cardin and O'Malley in Maryland would confirm basic assumptions about the state's Democrat-leaning electorate. Victories by Ehrlich and Steele would go a long way toward ushering in a true two-party system in a state where registered Democrats have long outnumbered Republicans 2 to 1.
Conversely, a victory by Webb in Virginia would cement his party's resurgence in a state that has been considered a conservative stronghold since the early 1990s -- when Allen won the gubernatorial election. A win by Allen, despite a bruising campaign, would offer a reminder of the state's core leanings.
"You have this changing dynamic in Virginia that the Democrats have been pretty good in adjusting to," said Robert D. Holsworth, director of the Center for Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University. "Even if Allen wins, the very close nature of this race will have to lead them to think about how they adjust the message."
In Virginia yesterday morning, Allen taped a two-minute paid television spot that will air tonight in major markets across Virginia. In it, Allen will appear with Sen. John W. Warner (R), one of the state's most respected politicians, and talk about the war in Iraq.
Then, it was onto FedEx Field for tailgate festivities before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. Allen's father and namesake was a Super Bowl-winning Redskins coach.
"I think he's gotten a bum deal on all of these ads criticizing him," said Ryan Travers, 32, a sales manager from Richmond. "They've been crazy negative."
"Good luck! Go get 'em!" another man yelled. Thomas Robinson, 33, a businessman from Haymarket, said he's voting for Allen, too. "I like to deer hunt, and I like his views," Robinson said.
