McCain, Palin Stump for Crucial Hampton Roads Votes

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Self-described Underdogs, McCain, Palin Continue Campaigning

Republican nominee John McCain and running mate Sarah Palin held rallies and town halls across the country this week, focusing their efforts in key swing states the campaign plans to heavily target ahead of Election Day.

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Supporters waved "Country First" signs and handmade posters with the words "I Have 4 Hockey Moms and 1 Joe Six Pack for McCain-Palin" and "Trig for First Baby," referring to Palin's youngest son. Palin, by far, received the most cheers. "Sar-ah!" they chanted. "Sar-ah!"

Hampton Roads, a sprawling area of 1.6 million people in 17 localities, includes the state's second-largest metropolitan area and largest city. Virginia's southeastern corner has been a swing area in recent years, veering back and forth between Republicans and Democrats.

In 2000, George W. Bush (R) and Al Gore (D) split Hampton Roads, but in 2004, Bush beat John F. Kerry (D). Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) won the region in 2005, while former senator George Allen (R) won there but lost the statewide election in 2006. Last year, Democrats won seats previously held by Republicans in the House of Delegates and Senate.

For weeks, GOP activists in Hampton Roads have been clamoring for McCain or Palin to visit to get rank-and-file supporters enthusiastic about the campaign.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R), who spoke at the rally, said he thinks McCain will win Hampton Roads, but he added that it was important for McCain to come to the area anyway to shore up the base.

"You have to energize your team,'' said McDonnell, who was wearing a red tie. "You certainly don't want to take any part of the state for granted."

It was McCain's second trip to the battleground state since the Feb. 12 primary. Later Monday, Palin attended a rally of about 25,000 at the Richmond International Raceway.

Obama has been to Virginia six times since securing the Democratic presidential nomination. His running mate, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, and their wives have been to the state a total of eight times. Five of the 14 trips were to Hampton Roads.

No Democratic presidential candidate has carried Virginia since 1964, but recent polls show Obama and McCain locked in an extremely competitive race in Virginia. The Post-ABC News poll late last month indicated that Virginia's likely voters are divided 49 percent for Obama and 46 percent for McCain.

Quentin Kidd, a political science professor at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, said McCain might be able to win the state if he can stop the "slide in Hampton Roads."

In response to McCain's visit, Obama's campaign held news conferences in Virginia Beach and Richmond, where Virginia veterans spoke of concerns about McCain.

Del. Joseph F. Bouchard (D-Virginia Beach), who spent almost three decades in the Navy, said demographic changes combined with discontent over Bush's veterans benefits policies have soured residents on McCain.

"They feel the Bush administration has let them down,'' he said. "McCain has been in lockstep with Bush."

Polling analyst Jennifer Agiesta contributed to this report.