Obama Says McCain Would Pose a National Security Risk
Up in Virginia Polls, Obama Attacks McCain on National Security.
Obama Makes Gains in Unexpected Areas
While a recent Mason Dixon poll show that Obama has cut McCain's sizable 43-point lead on who's best prepared to handle national security issues, McCain still retains a 19-point lead.
But other numbers in Virginia work in Obama's favor. Obama has consistently polled well on the issue of the economy, and Virginia's economy is struggling. The Democratic candidate told Richmond voters today that McCain's economic plans did more to help Wall Street than Main Street.
"Let's be clear who Sen. McCain's fighting for. He's not fighting for Joe the Plumber, he's fighting for Joe the hedge fund manager."
Obama also has an edge on sheer manpower in the state. As a result of breaking his promise to enter into the public financing system, Obama has enjoyed an overwhelming fundraising advantage, and in Virginia McCain is drowning in Obama's money.
Obama has 50 campaign offices and 200 paid staffers in Virginia to McCain's 24 campaign offices and 50 paid staffers. Obama is spending a quarter million dollars a day on TV ads in the state -- compared to McCain's $30,000 a day.
Obama Looks for Huge Turnout in Northern Va.
Obama hopes to get an overwhelming turnout in northern Virginia where a third of the state electorate lives. He's been aided in that effort by Republican fumbles, such as when McCain adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer implied that northern Virginia didn't count as "real Virginia."
"The Democrats have just come in from the District of Columbia and moved into northern Virginia, and that's what you really see there," Pfotenhauer told MSNBC's Chris Matthews. "But the rest of the state, 'real Virginia,' if you will, will be very responsive to Sen. McCain's message."
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