Va. Gov Thanks Md. Dems for Help

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) roused Maryland Democrats at the party's annual gala in Baltimore last night, thanking Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and other party leaders for sending volunteers to the Old Dominion to help campaign for Sen. Barack Obama.

With Maryland's 10 electoral votes likely to go for Obama, the presidential race has created little suspense here, so a number of activists are traveling to swing states..

The economy took its toll on last night's festivities: The $500 -a plate VIP seats cost half what they did for year's annual fundraiser, a reflection in part of hard times, said Democratic Party spokesman David Paulson.

"We're at the end of the election season, and people have less money," he said.