Barack with Mark Warner in Virginia

Barack Obama appeared in Virginia today together with former Virginia Governor Mark Warner.



On Saturday, Barack will hold a rally in Illinois at the same location that he announced his candidacy in 2007. It appears that reliable campaign sources have stated that Obama's vice president pick will also be present there with the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Still, no reliable leaks on when Obama's choice will be announced or who the lucky winner is.

Gov. Mark Warner to deliver Convention Keynote Address

Some possible insight today in the choice of former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to deliver the keynote address on Aug. 26 at the Democratic Convention in Denver.

Virginia is one of the main battleground states, where both candidates have been battling in the polls. There are about 11 other states that are viewed as "toss-ups" at the current time.

Here is the campaign statement released today.

MARK WARNER TO DELIVER CONVENTION KEYNOTE ADDRESS ON TUESDAY, AUG. 26th

CHICAGO - The Obama for America campaign announced today that former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will deliver the keynote address at the 2008 Democratic Convention on Tuesday, August 26th, the second night of the Convention.

An innovative businessman known for his ability to work with Republicans, Democrats and Independents, campaign officials said that Warner's vision for Virginia and his leadership style echoed the Convention's theme of Americans coming together for change.

"Barack Obama believes you can't have a strong economy when you have a weak middle class," said Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe. "Millions of Americans are struggling to get by, forced to make impossible choices about their future and the future of their families. Tuesday's Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Obama's concerns and strongly support his detailed economic plan to grow the economy, create jobs, restore fairness, and expand opportunity. As Governor of Virginia, Warner used his experience in business to help deliver jobs and hope to the citizens of Virginia. His work creating jobs in Southwest and Southside Virginia is a model for the rest of the Country. Like Barack Obama, Mark Warner is not afraid to challenge the status quo to bring people together and get things moving. It's that kind of spirit and innovation that resulted in his selection as keynote speaker on a night when we will be discussing how to renew America's promise."

Warner, a candidate for the United States Senate in Virginia, will speak on Tuesday night of the Democratic Convention. The theme of Tuesday's night program at the Convention is Renewing America's Promise.

20 field offices open in Virginia

One can tell a lot about the Obama campaign's focus on battleground states by observing the buildup of resources in each of these states.

In Virginia, the campaign has opened 20 new field offices, a clear sign of how important that state will be in the general election. There will be much work on voter registration and volunteer recruitment leading up to the official start of the campaign after the Democratic Convention in Denver.

Here is a Flickr slide-show of the office-opening events in Virginia.




The ground campaign will work in concert with online efforts, and Barack Obama addressed the Netroots Nation gathering in Texas last week.

Video: Voices from Fairfax, Virginia

In the following video, audience members give their thoughts on Sen. Barack Obama's talk on women's empowerment in Fairfax, Virginia.

Where Barack Stands

"From the first moment a woman dared to speak that hope - dared to believe that the American Dream was meant for her too - ordinary women have taken on extraordinary odds to give their daughters the chance for something else; for a life more equal, more free, and filled with more opportunity than they ever had. In so many ways we have succeeded, but in so many areas we have much work left to do.”

~ Barack Obama, Speech in Washington, DC, 11/10/05

For more info on where Barack stands, visit his page on women's issues.

Barack with DC voters

Check out the YouTube video of Barack Obama talking with DC voters. Virginia, Maryland and DC are voting in primaries today.

Feb 12: Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. Voting Info

From barackobama.com:

Feb 12: Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. Voting Info

by Christopher HassMonday, February 11, 2008 at 11:23 AM

On Tuesday, voters in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia will have their chance to go to the polls and vote for change. If you are a resident of any of these three states, you can use the links below to find out when, where and how to vote for Barack Obama:

District of Columbia

• Polls open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• Open to all registered Democrats
• Find your polling location
• Anwers to Frequently Asked Queststions about the D.C. Primary

Maryland

• Polls open from to 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• Open to all registered Democrats
• Find your polling location
• Anwers to Frequently Asked Queststions about the Maryland Primary

Virginia

• Polls open from to 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Open Primary - All registered Democrats, Repbulicans and Independents can participate
• Find your polling location
• Anwers to Frequently Asked Queststions about the Virginia Primary
  

Barack Obama during a rally in Virginia.

Mayor and Former Gov. Wilder endorses Obama

Richmond Mayor and former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder endorsed Sen. Barack Obama today.

Wilder said he would campaign for Obama in Nevada and South Carolina but will not make a trip to New Hampshire. He said he was contacting the campaign to arrange events in the early states.


Mayor Doug Wilder