Obama to Headline Big Fundraiser

Democratic leaders are also hopeful that the party's nominee in 2008 will break the GOP's grip on the state's 13 electoral votes. A Democratic presidential nominee hasn't won the state since 1964.

Obama has made several high-profile visits to Virginia in recent months.

Last fall, he headlined two rallies for Webb during his heated contest with Allen. Thousands of people attended the rallies in Old Town Alexandria and Richmond. When Obama finished speaking at each, the crush of admirers and autograph-seekers swarming around him was so large that his staff had trouble clearing a path for him to his car.

Obama also campaigned for Kaine during the final days of the 2005 governor's race, which helped energize black voters.

Other potential Democratic presidential candidates were also visible in the state on behalf of Webb. Kerry, Edwards and Clark made appearances, as did New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, whom many Democrats regard as the front-runner for the nomination if she enters the race.

But many Democratic organizations and candidates across the country have come to rely on Obama to draw a crowd.

Obama headlined the West Virginia Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner in September. Party leaders said Obama's presence made the dinner the most well-attended in its history, according to local media accounts.

Staff writer Michael D. Shear contributed to this report.