First Lady To Lead "Women for Obama"

Virginia first lady Anne Holton is stepping up her role in Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign as the Democratic primary race heads to the commonwealth.

Holton, wife of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), held a conference call with reporters today to tout "Women for Obama" in Tuesday's primary. Kaine endorsed Obama last year. Holton is the daughter of former Virginia governor A. Linwood Holton Jr., who in 1969 was elected the state's first Republican governor.

"We desperately need to tell the world it's a new day and for so many reasons he would be the man do that," said Anne Holton, who praised Obama's intelligience and character. "He is the man for this moment."

Anne Holton was joined by Megan Beyer, wife of former lieutenant governor Donald S. Beyer, who also supports Obama. The District and Maryland will also vote Tuesday.

Later today, the Obama campaign plans to release a list of more than 100 Virginia women who are backing him.

Beyer said Obama's "warmth" and his early opposition to the war in Iraq are big selling points with female voters. "In many ways, he really will be the first woman president," she said.