Obama, McCain Saturating Va. With TV Ads

Democrats are emboldened by several recent polls. Obama has opened up a 20-point lead in Northern Virginia, according to polls by Washington Post-ABC News, CNN/TIME and Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc.

In the 2005 race for governor and the 2006 Senate campaign, Democrats Timothy M. Kaine and James Webb, respectively, were propelled to victory after they racked up 20-point margins in Northern Virginia.

Some party officials say Obama is starting to make inroads in rural parts of the state.

"For years, it has been socially and culturally unacceptable for white working-class males to vote for a Democrat, and I am hearing a lot of them say, 'I'm voting for Obama,' and that shows me there is some movement," said Democratic strategist Dave "Mudcat" Saunders, who specializes in targeting rural voters.

But Dick Leggitt, a GOP strategist and senior adviser to Republican Senate candidate James S. Gilmore III, said the McCain campaign is working hard to turn out the party base through phone calls, mailings and targeted radio spots. The historical surge for GOP candidates from rural areas and military communities in Hampton Roads will be enough to pull out a victory, he said.

Still, some Virginia Republicans say McCain and Palin need to start campaigning in the state.

"I know McCain sleeps here a lot," said Frederick, referring to McCain's condominium in Arlington County. "We need him to come back and campaign here, because the Republican grass roots are hungry to have him."

Other Virginia Republicans say McCain, who is trailing in national polls, doesn't have the luxury to spend time in a state the GOP has carried for decades.

"McCain advisers feel if he isn't going to win Virginia, he probably isn't going to win the election anyway," said James E. Hyland, chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Party.