Kaine, Va. Dems Rally Ahead of Election

Today, an all-star cast of Virginia Democrats rallied voters in Prince William and Fairfax counties and was headed to Fredericksburg and Norfolk later in the day to do the same.

On the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, former governor Mark R. Warner, Sen. James Webb and dozens of state and local candidates crowded an outdoor stage to cheer on hundreds of volunteers and faithful Democrats.

"One party is about optimism and hope, and one party is about, 'Who are we afraid of?' " said Kaine, to cheers.

State Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said a vote for Democrats is a vote for a more responsible transportation solution than the package of local taxes approved in February by the Republican-led General Assembly.

Moran took particular aim at the controversial new fees for Virginia motorists, who are being assessed penalties of $750 to $3,000 for serious traffic offenses. He said a vote for Democrats is also a vote for stem cell research and for an increase in the minimum wage.

Added Warner, who is running for the Senate next year: "So far, what we've had from the other side is, 'No.' "