The Fix Hits Virginia

Watch this space on Thursday and Friday for posts from the road as I travel with Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D) as he takes Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) on a whirlwind campaign swing through southwestern Virginia. 

Kaine is in a tough race to succeed Warner, and political observers say he must run well in this traditionally Republican region of the state to have a shot at winning the governorship when voters head to the polls Nov. 8. While President Bush won most of the 9th District's counties handily in 2004, Rep. Rick Boucher (D) won reelection there with nearly 60 percent of the vote.

The Fix is also keenly interested in getting a closer view of Warner.  The campaign swing is a chance for the popular governor to showcase his appeal to rural voters -- a potentially huge selling point should he decide to make a run for the White House in 2008.

Warner/Kaine Stops are planned in Bristol, Galax, Roanoke and Martinsville (where NASCAR will hold a major race this weekend, the Subway 500).

The Fix plans a similar tag-along with the GOP candidate, Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, when he campaigns in the coming weeks with another oft-mentioned '08 presidential contender, Sen. George Allen (R-Va.).