Last week, Democratic gubernatorial Brian Moran blasted his rival Terry McAuliffe for attending a Washington fundraiser hosted by BGR Group, a lobbying firm founded in part by Republican Ed Rogers.

But it turns out BGR and Rogers hosted a fundraiser for another Virginia Democrat.

A fundraiser honoring U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia was held in October 2008 when the former governor was running for Senate. The invitation included Rogers, along with nine other lobbyists with BGR, including former Bush aide Eric Burgeson, Lanny Griffith, who worked in the George H.W. Bush White House and Bob Wood, chief of staff to former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.

Moran criticized McAuliffe last week for his relationship with Rogers, who helped carry the Republican message on TV last year with pointed references to President Obama's middle name, Hussein.

So what does Moran say now?

Former U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) will be made an honorary Knight Commander by Queen Elizabeth II.

The award is in recognition of Warner's service to strengthening the alliance between the United States and United Kingdom, particularly in fighting threats to national security around the world, according to a press release from the British Ambassador.

"John Warner has spent his life in the service of the American people,'' British Ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald said. "Throughout his long and distinguished career he has been a constant and unstinting friend of the United Kingdom, working with us on issues ranging from defense cooperation to the Northern Ireland peace process."

Mark R. Warner (D) announced today that he hired Capitol Hill veteran Luke Albee to serve as his chief of staff in January after he is sworn in as Virginia's junior senator.

Albee has been a Senate aide for two decades, including 11 as chief of staff to Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, chairman of the Judiciary Committee and one of the Senate's most senior members.

"I am pleased to have someone with Luke Albee's experience working with us in the Senate," Warner said in a statement. "Luke has earned respect from both sides of the aisle, and he's widely known for his ability to bring people together to create common-sense solutions."

Albee, 48, left the Hill in 2005 to join the political consulting firm Ricchetti, Inc.

His campaign for U.S. Senate ended 10 days ago but former governor James S. Gilmore III is still fundraising.

Gilmore (R) is looking for donors to help him erase a $50,000 debt in his unsuccessful race against former governor Mark R. Warner (D). He also has another $140,000 in debt from his failed presidential campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission.

"I want to continue to play a role in restoring our party and adding to the public debate of the future,'' he wrote in a fundraising letter to supporters this week. "It will be difficult to play this role with this unresolved debt. If you can help me one last time with a contribution of $100, $75, or even $35 , I would be most grateful."

Gilmore raised more than $2-million during his campaign while Warner raised more than $12-million.

Text of the letter is below:

Here are scenes from Warner's victory party at the Hilton McClean in Tysons Corner. My colleague Sandhya Somashekhar sent this dispatch:

Warner took the stage around 10, three hours after the Washington Post called the election for the former governor and after triumphant speeches by Webb and Kaine. He was greeted with chants of "Warner, Warner" from the crowd. He sought in his remarks to stress bipartisanship and the diverse groups that supported him, from business groups to labor unions, and voters from urban and rural environments.

"Tonight, by a record margin, Virginians said they want their next U.S. senator to focus on results, not rhetoric. Virginians understand at this critical moment for our nation that we're not going to get our country back on track if we continue to look at our problems through the old ideas of red versus blue, left versus right...Tonight this campaign ends about 18 months after it began ... based on the premise that we could actually find common ground. So I am proud to stand before you as your new junior senator."

Leaders of three national groups sent a letter to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), urging him to assign all "non-essential public employees" to work at the polls on Election Day.

"Adequate staffing can mean the difference between a demonstrably fair election, or questions and challenges about the validity of the results,'' they said in a letter signed by leaders of Change to Win, a coalition of unions, People for the American Way, a progressive advocacy group, and the Sierra Club.

Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey said the governor was not assigning state workers to the polls, but has "encouraged those who can take the day off to volunteer at the polls."

The political action arm of the National Taxpayers Union announced today that the group has endorsed former governor James S. Gilmore III (R) in his U.S. Senate race against former governor Mark. R. Warner (D).

"When he held Virginia's executive position, Jim Gilmore time and again proved his commitment to fiscal responsibility," said Duane Parde, president of the National Taxpayers Union Campaign Fund. "He espoused pro-growth economic policies, chief among them a number of tax cuts, which inspired many similar platforms across the country."

Gilmore has pledged to work to cut taxes, including making permanent the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts permanent, reducing income tax rates, eliminating the Alternative Minimum Tax, repealing the death tax and abolishing the marriage tax penalty.

The National Taxpayers Union, the nation's largest grassroots taxpayer organization, has 362,000 members. Campaign Fund endorsements require a unanimous vote on a nonpartisan basis by a five-member committee that includes two independents, one Democrat and two Republicans.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III, a candidate for U.S. Senate, today signed the American Conservative Union's energy freedom pledge that confirms his opposition to a national ban on offshore oil and gas drilling.

Gilmore agreed to "support efforts to increase domestic energy production which will provide for American's future energy needs and make the U.S. less dependent on foreign sources of energy".

"During these tough economic times, never has America's need to tap into its vast resources of oil and natural gas been clearer," Gilmore said. "Doing so would not only set the course for energy independence, but would create thousands of jobs right here in the U.S and in Virginia."

Former governor Mark R. Warner (D) has recorded a series of radio ads for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama that will begin airing around the state tonight.

In the ads, Warner talks about how Obama will take a bipartisan approach to restoring the economy, creating jobs, lowering taxes for middle-class families and providing affordable healthcare.

"This is exactly the kind of change our economy needs,'' Warner says in the ad while folksy music plays in the background. "So please join me, Mark Warner, in supporting Barack Obama for president. His steady hand, family values and common sense approach will help get our country back on track."

The 60-second ads will run across the state including Northern Virginia, central Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley and Southside and Southwest, rural areas that have traditionally supported Republicans but where Warner is extremely popular.

Warner, who is running for U.S. Senate against former governor James S. Gilmore III, will appear with Obama in Richmond and Leesburg tomorrow.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III (R) has raised $1.9 million for his U.S. Senate campaign and has $121,000 in the bank to use for the final stretch leading to the Nov. 4 election.

He raised another $265,000 through a joint fundraising committee with the Republican Party of Virginia, and has $46,000 of that left in the bank.

Gilmore's campaign refused to give out his financial information to reporters last week, at the close of the reporting period. But his campaign released the figures to the Washington Post today.

Gilmore's opponent, former governor Mark R. Warner (D), announced last week that he has raised $12.3 million for his campaign and has $3.6 million left in the bank.

Warner raised about $3 million in the last three-month period that ended Sept. 30 while Gilmore raised $644,000.

Two veterans groups, Vets for Freedom and IFVPP, endorsed former governor James S. Gilmore III (R) today in his U.S. Senate bid against former governor Mark R. Warner (D).

"Jim recognizes and acknowledges the success of our current military strategy in Iraq, and has been a steadfast source of support for all the men and women who are winning the global war on terror,'' Vets for Freedom Virginia State Captain Coby Dillard said.

Vets for Freedom, a nonpartisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has more than 600 members in Virginia.

IFVPP, a group of Iraqi veterans who strive to preserve the memory of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, based its endorsement on Gilmore's support of the surge, his experience chairing a national advisory committee on homeland security and his service as a veteran. The group has more than 250 members in Virginia.

"After meeting with both candidates it was crystal clear who best supported our interest as Iraqi freedom veterans," IFVPP chairman Rusty McGuire said.

Former governor Mark R. Warner will begin broadcasting new radio and television ads tomorrow in his U.S. Senate race against former governor James S. Gilmore III.

The 30-second TV ad, called "Fresh Approach," features Warner discussing the nation's economic crisis. A similar 60-second version will be broadcast on statewide radio.

"For too long, there were too many people both in Washington and on Wall Street asleep at the switch," Warner says in the ad. "We need a fresh approach where we don't allow CEOs on Wall Street to walk away with millions of dollars while their companies go into the ditch. We've got to have leaders in Washington who put our country's interest first, not partisanship. That's what I'll do if you send me to Washington."

Former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R), known for his opposition to higher taxes and earmarks, praised U.S. Senate candidate James S. Gilmore III this morning on a conference call with Virginia reporters.

Armey said the popularity of earmarks in Congress is "so far out of control" that only members who stand up and oppose them can halt them.

In recent weeks, Gilmore, a former governor, has come out against the $700 billion federal rescue package and earmarks. He signed a "no earmarks" pledge today.

Gilmore said that he opposed the bailout bill, party because it was filled with earmarks including money for rum manufacturers and a company that makes wooden arrows. He said the practice of securing earmarks is open to "fraud and abuse."

Armey, a former Texas congressman, is chairman of FreedomWorks, a group dedicated to "lower taxes, less government and more freedom."

Gilmore faces former governor Mark R. Warner for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring John W. Warner (R).

In an effort to boost the army of Republican volunteers who make calls and knock on doors, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who are running for governor and lieutenant governor next year, challenged local parties to double their membership over several months.

The results are in: Fifty-four of the 124 cities' and counties' parties met or exceeded the goal. At least thirty-two units increased membership but fell short of the goal.

Total, the exercise added more than 3,000 new members to the party, according to the Republican Party of Virginia.

Sen. Jim Webb, who is not exactly known for his love of campaigning, starting stumping today for fellow Democrats running for election next month.

This week, he is appearing at events for Gerry Connolly, Fairfax County Board chairman who is running for Congress; former governor Mark R. Warner, who is running for U.S. Senate; and Tom Perriello, who is running against Rep. Virgil Goode in a south central district stretching from Charlottesville to Danville.

Next week, he will campaign for Judy Feder, who is running against Rep. Frank Wolf in Northern Virginia and Glenn Nye, who is running against Rep. Thelma Drake in Hampton Roads. He will also participate in an event for Democratic senate candidates with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and make a two-day swing through Southwest Virginia for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Webb, elected in 2006, has been criticized by some constituents and party activists for his failure to interact with Democratic activists and campaign for members of his party. But he has a packed schedule this month following the Senate's adjournment Friday.

Former governors James S. Gilmore III (R) and Mark R. Warner (D) will square off at 7 p.m. tonight in Roanoke in their final debate in the race for the state's open U.S. Senate seat. Come back to the blog at 7 p.m. for the latest, as we live blog the event.

It is Gilmore's last chance to change the dynamics of the race and prove that he can compete with his popular rival. A month before the Nov. 4 election, Warner has a big lead in polls and fundraising.

The two are running to replace the retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R) in a race that could help determine whether Virginia's gradual shift toward Democratic statewide candidates is solidifying.

The 60-minute debate, sponsored by WSLS -TV in Roanoke and moderated by its anchor Jay Warren, will be held at the Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke. A three-person panel of journalists and political analysts will ask questions.

The pair have debated twice before, but tonight's will be their only debate televised statewide. It will not be picked up by any Northern Virginia station, but will air on CSPAN.

A series of new Spanish-language radio ads will begin airing in the Washington metro area to urge residents to "move forward and vote."

The New Policy Institute, an affiliate of the NDN progressive think tank and advocacy organization, has been airing in Nevada and Colorado. The Washington area ads start tomorrow.

The media campaign, Adelante, Spanish for "Moving Forward," is a public education campaign that encourages people to vote, explains the process of voting (including early and absentee voting) and targets what is projected to be a large pool of first-time Hispanic voters.

Three ads will start airing on three radio stations, which serve Northern Virgina, southern Maryland and the District. Ads will air through Nov. 3.

Virginia Democratic officials report that U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner's campaign distributed 10,000 yard signs today across Virginia.

Mike Henry, Warner's campaign manager, called it the "biggest one day sign blitz ever" conducted in the state.

Although there has been an ongoing debate in Democratic circles over the importance of yard signs in the presidential race, Warner (D) is well-known for his affinity for plastering his red, white and blue signs all over the state.

There is no way to verify, however, that Warner's efforts today actually set a one-day record. But it's safe to assume you'll be seeing Warner's name a lot in the coming weeks.

Jason Alexander, an actor best known as perpetually down-and-out George Costanza on Seinfeld , has weighed into Virginia's U.S. Senate race by helping former Democratic governor Mark R. Warner raise money.

"If you thought Seinfeld was a show about nothing, you should check out Congress,'' Alexander in a fundraising letter emailed to supporters today. "I can't remember such a lack of productivity since the summer of George."

The letter turns more serious after that. Alexander asks for donations, as small as $5, before Sept. 30, the latest filing deadline, and talks about why he is "throwing his full support" behind Warner in his race against former governor James S. Gilmore III.

"He hasn't just talked a good game,'' he wrote. "As governor, he actually walked the walk by working across the aisle to deliver results and turn Virginia's struggling economy around."

The two met when Warner was traveling the country to gage interest in a possible presidential run, Warner spokesman Kevin Hall said.

Alexander is not a Virginia resident. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

The full letter is below:

Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign is spending millions of dollars on television ads in Virginia, staffing 43 offices and sending the candidate and his running mate, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., to every corner of the state.

But Obama has apparently overlooked one important element of a successful campaign in Virginia: stocking up on those venerable lawn signs.

Across the state, Democratic officials are clamoring to get hold of free Obama yard signs but are being told that none are available or that they have to buy them from the candidate's Web site. It can take weeks to get them delivered.

The frustration of volunteers and Democratic officials over the campaign's inability to provide the signs is nearing a boiling point in some parts of Virginia.

Democratic Senate candidate Mark R. Warner, who is worth an estimated $200 million, isn't sure how he defines "wealthy" when it comes raising taxes.

In his debate yesterday with Republican James S. Gilmore III, Warner said he supports rolling back President Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Warner, who wants new revenue to reduce the deficit and invest in "infrastructure," has staked out a position similar to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Gilmore is opposed to all tax increases.

Obama's plans calls for higher taxes on couples who earn more than $250,000. When asked after the debate who he considers to be rich, Warner couldn't give an answer. But he said he thinks Obama's $250,000 a year threshold is too low.

"I think $250,000 may be a bit low because for one or two income earning households in Northern Virginia that seems too low, but that is one of the things we will work through," Warner said.

Former governor Mark R. Warner received more endorsements from Virginia's law enforcement community this morning in his race against former governor James S. Gilmore III for U.S. Senate.

Sheriffs from across western Virginia and the Virginia Police Benevolent Association, a professional association made up of more than 20,000 federal, state and local law enforcement officers, announced their support of Warner.

"Governor Warner always had an open door for local officials charged with protecting the public safety," said Norfolk Sheriff Robert McCabe, president of the Virginia Sheriffs Association. "Whether it was a natural disaster or a time of fiscal crisis, I was impressed by his leadership and his willingness to work closely with law enforcement to address the challenges facing Virginia in a bipartisan and responsible manner."

Warner, who was governor between 2002 and 2006, was credited with appointing the nation's first Cabinet-level state official with responsibility for homeland security; allowing the State Police to achieve its designated manpower goals for the first time in 30 years; initiating a statewide AMBER Alert System to notify Virginians about possible child abductions; and supporting tougher anti-drunk driving laws.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama got a big head start this summer in organizing supporters in Virginia, but there are now signs that Arizona Sen. John McCain's (R) campaign is starting to pay attention to some of the details.

At yesterday's rally in Fairfax City, people who attended were handed a sheet of paper with the names and phone numbers of two voters. During the rally, they were asked to call their list from a cell phone or when they got home to tout McCain's candidacy.

After the rally, nearly everyone who wanted them were given one, two, three - sometimes six or seven - lawn signs to put in their yard or distribute in their neighborhood. It appeared as if McCain had distributed thousands of lawn signs after the rally, and even more bumper stickers. Some Obama supporters in Virginia, meanwhile, have complained they are having a hard time getting lawn signs and other campaign materials.

As reported in Monday's Washington Post, Republican Senate Candidate James S. Gilmore III has begun airing his first campaign commercial.

In the ad, which is airing in television markets downstate but not in Northern Virginia, a narrator criticizes Democratic Candidate Mark R. Warner and seeks to link him to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Gilmore tries to associate himself with Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee for president.

The Virginia Republican Party is paying for the ad, but Gilmore authorized it.

Democratic strategists describe the ad, which won't be released to the media until today, as a meager $80,000 buy, but it still underscores the following eight points:

Bradley Hungerman, the William & Mary student turned political operative, has followed through on his promise to create a website that promotes both Democratic Senate Candidate Mark R. Warner and Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee for president.

The votebipartisan.com website argues Virginia voters should split their tickets this year by supporting McCain and Warner. The site is also selling McCain-Warner bumper stickers and yard signs. The website is funded by a political committee that Hungerman registered with the Federal Election Commission in June.

Bradley Hungerman is a senior at William & Mary. His father, Andrew J. Hungerman III, the registered agent of the Vote Bipartisan PAC, is a former vice-president at Colonial Williamsburg. Bradley Hungerman said in an interview last month his efforts are not connected to either the Warner or McCain campaigns. But he noted his family has a relationship with one of Warner's staff members.

The source of Hungerman's donors remain a mystery. As of June 30, the Vote Bipartisan political committee had no money in its federal account. Hungerman is not required to file another report until Oct. 15.

Former governor Mark R. Warner (D) will not participate in the only U.S. Senate debate this fall that was to be televised statewide.

Warner's opponent, former governor James S. Gilmore, had agreed to participate in the debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Virginia.

"Mark Warner apparently does not want the people of Virginia to have an opportunity to understand clearly where he stands on the issues,'' Gilmore said in a statement. "I believe the people of Virginia have a right to see and hear candidates for public office discuss the issues."

Warner and Gilmore participated in their first debate last month at the Homestead Resort but it was not televised and only a few hundred people traveled to western Virginia to watch it. The two have agreed to a Sept. 18 debate, sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, that will be televised locally in Northern Virginia.

Hours before U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner delivers the keynote address tonight at the Democratic National Convention, his Republican opponent James S. Gilmore released a new video on YouTube.

The video, Notorious Politicians and Their Lies, compares Warner to "past U.S. politicians who have lied their way in or out of office, reminding voters of all the promises Warner made about not raising taxes and how Warner broke his word," according to a press release.

"Mark Warner broke a series of promises he made while running for governor,'' said Ana Gamonal, Gilmore's spokeswoman. "Now, liberal Mark Warner is telling the people of Virginia he is bipartisan. Mark Warner cannot be trusted and his keynote speech at the DNC Convention will be the beginning of the end of this false notion he has been working so hard to sell to the voters."

The video features former President Richard Nixon, former President Bill Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama and background music from the movie "Liar Liar."

Kevin Hall, Warner's spokesman, declined to comment.

DENVER -- U.S. Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) will arrive in Denver later today to attend his first Democratic National Convention.

Webb's arrival will highlight one of the most significant political transformations in a generation, considering he was a self-described Republican just eight years ago.

But Webb has a packed schedule over the next 48 hours. Webb is sponsoring a breakfast for the Virginia delegation tomorrow. Later in the day, Webb will attend a luncheon sponsored by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, according to his aides. Webb will then do a round of national media interviews and mingle with Virginia delegates on the convention floor tomorrow evening, the same night that U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner (D) is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the convention.

Webb plans to leave Denver Wednesday morning so he can travel to Phoenix, where he will deliver the keynote address at an American Legion convention.

Despite his early departure from the convention, Webb will likely be a big hit among the delegates. Not only has he built a national reputation due to his work in the Senate, Webb has also apparently discovered that convention delegates love their breakfast.

The Virginia Democratic Party will try today to localize the controversy over Arizona Sen. John McCain's (R) not knowing how many houses he owns by holding a press conference outside of McCain's Crystal City condominium.

Del. David L. Englin (D-Alexandria) and Peter Rousselot, chairman of the Arlington County Democratic Party, will speak at the event at McCain's condominium building, which the party said in a statement is "the most enviable address in Virginia."

"Englin, Rousselot and others will ask how McCain can represent middle-class families who are struggling with the rising cost of living, soaring gas prices and the foreclosure crisis," the state party said in a news release.

The effort is apparently part of a national strategy by Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill) presidential campaign to keep the pressure on McCain by localizing the house story, which sidetracked the GOP campaign yesterday. But efforts by Virginia Democrats to make the presidential contest about class holds potential risks for the party, especially in Northern Virginia, where residents are among the wealthiest in the nation. Some voters may be uneasy with Democrats' decision to take politics to McCain's front door.

Virginia Democrats' attack on McCain could also highlight the fact that the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Virginia, former governor Mark R. Warner, is worth an estimated $200 million. Warner owns two houses, including a sprawling estate in King George County. Warner's Republican opponent, James S. Gilmore III, is also worth several million dollars. Gilmore also owns two houses, but has sought to make Warner's wealth an issue in the race, including referring to him as a "limousine liberal."

Virginia Republicans are stepping up their efforts to tie U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner to the national Democratic party and Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.

The strategy of linking Warner to liberals in Washington has long been a part of the GOP playbook. But Warner, apparently confident of his big lead in the polls, gave the GOP new ammunition by agreeing to be the keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention next week.

Privately, some GOP insiders have been frustrated that Warner's GOP opponent, former governor James S. Gilmore III, has appeared curiously silent as it relates to Warner's speech next week.

Unwilling to wait for Gilmore to make the attack on his own, the Virginia Republican Party is taking the lead in trying to link Warner to national Democrats.

In a lengthy memo sent out Tuesday night to GOP supporters and reporters, Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, the chairman of the state party, noted that National Journal ranked Obama as the most liberal senator in 2007. (Obama and some independent analysts strongly dispute that ranking).

"This means that Obama is more liberal than an avowed socialist, Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont," Frederick wrote. "Yet this is the man who Mark Warner chooses to honor in the form of giving his keynote address. For years the Democrats in Virginia said they were different from their national counterparts who were on the left. ...But the convention in Denver will once and for all dispel any myth to the contrary."

The Republican Party of Virginia received a big check recently from John M Templeton Jr., who has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into Republican and conservative causes over the years.

The son of the late finance guru Sir John Templeton, John M. Templeton Jr. of Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania gave the Virginia Republican Party $80,000 on July 30, according to the State Board of Elections.

He appears to have made the largest contribution from an individual to the Virgnia Republican Party since 2000, according to information from the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks money in state politics.

John M. Templeton Jr. is one of the founding members of Freedom's Watch, an organization that seeks to be the conservative version of Moveon.org. Freedom's Watch has aired millions of dollars in television ads in support of the war of Iraq. The group also plans to spend tens of millions of dollars this fall on ads targeting Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Democratic congressional candidates.

According to the New York Times, Templeton's father was one of the world's richest men when he died last month. His son, John M. Templeton Jr., the donor to the Virginia GOP and Freedom's Watch, now heads up the John Templeton Foundation. The foundation has a $1.5 billion endowment.

U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner's decision to give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention later this month means Warner's own political future this year can now be linked to the national Democratic party.

Ever since he announced his Senate campaign late last year, Warner has sought to put some distance between himself and Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.

Warner appeared with Obama in June in Southwest Virginia, and has touted his candidacy in various interviews. But Warner has at times stressed he is running his own race as he tried to respond to efforts by his GOP opponent, former governor James S. Gilmore, to tie him to Obama and national Democrats.

At a debate with Gilmore last month, Warner mentioned Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, more than he mentioned Obama. Now, Gilmore will have images of Warner standing on stage in prime-time as the symbol of the national Democratic party.

If Obama's presidential campaign tanks in Virginia this fall - which is still possible given the conservative leanings of the state - Warner won't be able to distance himself from the national party.

The ACLU of Virginia sent letters today to housing authorities across the state, warning them not to prevent political campaigners from going door to door to distribute literature, talk with residents or register people to vote.

The letters, sent to administrators at all 28 housing authorities in the state, were prompted by the actions of the Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which blocked political campaigners from going door to door at its housing projects.

ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis said the First Amendment protects both the right of campaigners to go door to door in public housing projects and the right of tenants to receive information about registering to vote and political campaigns.

"Just because people live in public housing does not mean they can be cut off from political debate," Willis said. "Public housing tenants have exactly the same rights as everyone else to be involved in our democracy, and housing authority officials violate the First Amendment when they block political campaigning and registration efforts at their doorsteps."

The letter, which cites a U. S. Supreme Court case affirming the First Amendment right to canvass, says the ACLU will consider a lawsuit on behalf of canvassers or tenants if need be.

Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, began airing a new ad on national cable TV in key states, including Virginia.

The 30-second ad, entitled "Celeb," highlights the opposition of Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, to offshore drilling and proposals to raise taxes on energy sources that produce electricity.

"This ad shows a clear contrast between John McCain and Barack Obama on the issues important to Virginia voters,'' said Gail Gitcho, McCain's mid-Atlantic regional communications director.

"John McCain believes that lowering taxes is the best way to create jobs here in America. Barack Obama believes tax hikes are the solution to our economic problems,'' she said. "John McCain believes those have to be a part of a comprehensive solution that include renewables and new innovative energy sources. Barack Obama opposes nuclear power and additional drilling. John McCain will end the war but he believes we must come home in victory based on the conditions on the ground. Barack Obama supports an unconditional timetable for withdrawal in Iraq that has the real possibility of leading to a third Iraq war."

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) slammed Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, the chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, this morning for saying on Monday that groups trying to register new voters are engaged in "a coordinated and widespread effort to commit voter fraud."

In an interview on WTOP radio, Kaine called Frederick's (Prince William) assertion "ridiculous."

"I think that is slandering the reputation of hardworking Virginians who care about elections and who want people to care about this process," Kaine said. "You know, I don't like to see folks doing things in the heat of a tough election to suggest they are trying to winnow down turnout and that is what I view (Frederick's) effort as."

Gerry Scimeca, a spokesman for the Virginia Republican Party, responded in an interview by rhetorically asking Kaine if he is "against people breaking the law," referring to the arrests last week of three canvassers in Hampton Roads charged with submitting false names on voter registration forms.

The Virginia Democratic Party's coordinated campaign announced tonight that Jim Wilson, a former Republican operative who still apparently supports Arizona Sen. John McCain's presidential ambitions, will not be added to its payroll.

Wilson, who used to do work for former senator George Allen (R), was supposed to join the coordinated campaign as a consultant because he now supports Democratic Senate candidate Mark R. Warner.

But Mike Henry, Warner's campaign manager, issued a statement saying Wilson will now work for the Warner campaign instead of the state party.

The Virginia Democratic Party's decision to add Jim Wilson, a longtime Republican operative, to the payroll of its coordinated campaign may be a sign that Democratic efforts this year may not be so coordinated after all.

The coordinated Democratic campaign has been established to boost U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner, congressional candidates and Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), the party's presumptive nominee for president.

Although he is a Republican, Wilson supports Warner and travels the state putting up campaign signs for him.

But at Saturday's U.S. Senate debate between Warner and Republican Jim Gilmore, Wilson was seen with a sign in his truck that included Warner's name and that of Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the presumptive GOP nominee for president.

The Virginia Democratic Party continues to have a crushing advantage over the Virginia Republican Party when it comes to money that can be spent on the presidential, U.S. Senate and congressional races this year.

In campaign finance reports filed this week with the Federal Election Commission, the state Democratic Party had about $729,000 in its federal account, about $120,000 less than it had a month ago.

The Republican Party of Virginia reported it has $101,000 in its federal account. But over the past month, the party has generated $91,000 in unpaid debt, according to its July FEC report.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, is trying to undercut Democratic candidate Mark R. Warner's credibility as the two prepare to face off at their first debate Saturday at The Homestead resort.

Gilmore sent out a statement today reminding reporters that Warner, also a former governor, pledged during his 2001 gubernatorial debate with Republican Mark L. Earley that he would not raise taxes.

Warner, who faced a budget shortfall after he took office in 2002 that he says he inherited from Gilmore, ended up pushing for a $1.4 billion tax increase in 2004. Gilmore, who denies he left Warner a shortfall, sent out video today of Warner's promise not to raise taxes.

With Virginia shaping up as a battleground in the presidential contest between Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.),a few counties and cities will be key in deciding whether the state goes blue this year for the first time since 1964.

Just as the national map can be sliced into blue, red and purple states, so, too, can Virginia's 134 counties and cities.

In Northern Virginia, political analysts say, Obama will probably win in Alexandria and Arlington and Fairfax counties, given recent voting patterns. Democrats also usually rack up big wins in Richmond, Norfolk and Charlottesville. McCain will probably have a strong advantage in rural counties in western and southern Virginia.

What follows is a list of 10 Virginia locations that could be up for grabs.

In 2005, Richmond lobbyist David Hallock spent weeks pretending to be Jerry W. Kilgore, the Republican nominee for governor, as a way to help Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) prepare for the first gubernatorial debate.

This year, Hallock is back to help his old boss, former Gov. Mark R. Warner.

Hallock, who had been one of Warner's top lawyers, is playing Republican nominee James S. Gilmore III as Warner prepares for his first debate in this year's U.S. Senate debate.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate James S. Gilmore III has repaid himself the $50,000 he lent his campaign last month, according to campaign finance reports.

On May 11, Gilmore lent his campaign the money as he prepared to face Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) at the state GOP convention. At the time, Ana Gamonal, a Gilmore spokeswoman, said the loan was meant to "show his supporters and his donors his own commitment to electing a steady and common-sense senator for the commonwealth of Virginia."

But the money has been repaid, according to the finance reports. "That was just something we did to get a little cash flow to get ready for the convention and we raised the money so we paid it back," M. Boyd Marcus, a Gilmore strategist, said today.

Today is the deadline for both state and federal campaign finance reports. As the tallies for elected officials, parties and campaign committees are released, we will post them here.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, raised $250,000 between May 21 and June 31. Gilmore has about $117,000 in the bank. Since he launched his campaign last fall, Gilmore has raised about $1.2 million.

Former governor Mark R. Warner, a Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senate, reports raising $2.9 million from April 1 to June 30. Warner has about $5.1 million in the bank. Warner has raised $9.3 million since he got into the race in September.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the likely Republican nominee for governor in 2009, will report he raised $878,000 so far this year. McDonnell has about $1.2 million in the bank.

Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), who seeking the Democratic nomination for governor next year, says he raised about $1.4 million during the first six months of the year, although some of the money had been transferred from an old political account. Moran has $924,000 in the bank.

Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), a Democratic candidate for governor next year, reports he raised $783,000 so far this year. Deeds has $650,000 on hand.

Democratic Senate candidate Mark R. Warner released a new television ad today that focuses on his plan for driving down gas prices and reforming the nation's energy policies.

Warner's 30-second ad, his second of the campaign, comes on the same day updated campaign finance reports are due at the Federal Election Commission. By unveiling the ad today, Warner is showcasing what is expected to be his sizeable cash advantage over his Republican opponent, James S. Gilmore III.

Republican Senate Candidate James S. Gilmore III had a testy exchange yesterday with a reporter from Roanoke over how quickly consumers would see relief at the gas pump if the United States opened up more areas to drilling.

Former Governor Mark R. Warner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate this fall, tells our colleagues at washingtonpost.com that presidential hopeful Barack Obama could win the state of Virginia in November.

Warner also talks about his interest in national politics, saying he did not want to serve as Obama's running mate but he did leave the door open for a presidential bid down the road. "I would never rule it out," he says.

In an effort to contrast himself with his Democratic opponent, former governor Mark R. Warner, Republican Senate candidate James S. Gilmore III will be getting a bit dirty during his two-day swing down the Interstate 81 corridor.

Part of his "working families tour," Gilmore is trying to portray Warner as a liberal elitist who is out touch with the concerns of lower and middle class families. Gilmore has stops planned today and tomorrow at several construction sites in the Shenandoah Valley.

Gilmore has taken to calling Warner, who is worth an estimated $200 million, a "limousine liberal." Tomorrow, Gilmore will visit a BP station in Radford and a Chevron station in Bristol, where he will be pumping gas to highlight the high price of fuel. But Gilmore, who is also a millionaire, won't just be mingling with blue collar workers during his campaign swing.

Shortly after Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) called a special session to try to tackle transportation funding issues, the governor gave a blunt assessment of what he hoped to accomplish by advocating a tax increase even though he didn't have the support of the Republican-controlled House of Delegates.

"It will be very productive to either try to find a solution or make it plain to people who are standing in the way," Kaine said in an interview with The Washington Post in May. "We are going to make something happen or let the public see who is obstructing, and frankly, that is one of the reasons why Democrats have won elections in Virginia."

But 10 days into the special session on transportation -- legislators have been on vacation for six of those days -- it remains uncertain whether any solution will be found or whether the governor will score any of those political points.

Republican U.S. Senate James S. Gilmore III is preparing for a major campaign push across Virginia, including reaching out to voters in Fairfax County.

On Friday, Gilmore will march in the Dale City Independence Day parade during the morning. Gilmore, a former governor, will then attend the Leadership Institute's "Annual Conservative Fourth of July Soirée" at Bull Run Park in Centreville. The event is billed as a "patriotic annual celebration for all things conservative." Gilmore will wrap up his July 4 politicking by participating in the Clifton Independence Day parade and picnic.

"This is just the beginning," Ana Gamonal, a Gilmore spokeswoman, said of the campaign's efforts in Fairfax County, a county Gilmore won during his 1998 bid for governor but has since been trending Democratic. "By spending one of the busiest days of the campaign in Northern Virginia, this shows our commitment to the region."

Former governor Mark R. Warner (D) has already spent $4.2 million on his bid for the U.S. Senate.

Warner has raised $9.3 million since he got into the race in September, and has $5.1 million left in the bank, according to his latest campaign finance report, which was first reported on by the Associated Press.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) now has another $100,000 donor to his political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward.

John O. Wynne, retired president and chief executive officer of Landmark Communications, which owns The Weather Channel and several newspapers, including the Virginian Pilot and Roanoke Times, gave Moving Virginia Forward $25,000 on June 20. Since Kaine took office in 2006, Wynne has contributed $125,000 to Moving Virginia Forward.

There are now six individuals or organizations that have contributed at least $100,000 to Kaine's political committee, which he uses to try to bolster the Virginia Democratic Party, including the governor's successful efforts last year in winning control of the state Senate, according to the Virginia Board of Elections and the Virginia Public Access Project.

W. Gerald Massengill, a retired Virginia State Police superintendent appointed by former Republican Gov. James S. Gilmore III, today endorsed Democrat Mark R. Warner for U.S. Senate.

Massengill, best known for heading the panel that reviewed the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, was joined by five other law enforcement officials from around the state for a news conference in Richmond with Warner.

A self-described Republican who spent 37 years in the state police force, Massengill was appointed superintendent in 2000 and served until 2003. That meant he served under Gilmore and Warner, who was governor from 2002 to 2006.

Former governor Mark R. Warner and his wife, Lisa Collis, kicked in a lot of cash to get the Virginia Democratic Party's campaign efforts off the ground.

Some of Warner's biggest supporters aided in the effort, donating to a new Virginia Democratic fundraising committee after they gave all they legally can to Warner's Senate campaign.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) is urging Democrats not to take Republican Senate James S. Gilmore III for granted. In an email, Kaine urges people to donate to Democratic candidate Mark R. Warner because Gilmore will be formidable.

"Mark Warner is facing one of the fiercest, most aggressive campaigners in our state's history," said Kaine, who is asking people to donate $5 to Warner. "Before you know it, the polls will tighten, negative attacks will hit the airwaves, and Mark will need the resources to fire back and get his message out."

Ana Gamonal, a Gilmore spokesman, said she doesn't have a problem with Kaine calling her boss "fierce".

"They realize this race is not over as some folks have said," Gamonal said. "We absolutely believe as we move forward into the debates and we start talking substance and policy issues, and Mark Warner is forced to take positions, that Jim Gilmore will win the November election."

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (Prince William), the chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, announced today that Allison Coccia will be the new executive director of the party.

Coccia is the former executive director of the New York Republican State Committee and has also been the political director of Republican Party of Pennsylvania. In both jobs, her task was complicated by an electorate that had soured on the GOP brand.

"After a thorough search that entailed interviewing several outstanding candidates, I concluded that Allison offers us a proven record at improving fundraising, communications, and building the grassroots," Frederick said.

As part of the General Assembly's ongoing special session, Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee will try Wednesday to push through proposals to increase Virginia's 17.5 cent a gallon gas tax to raise money for transportation.

Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) wants a 6 cent a gallon increase, which will be phased in over six years. Sen. Charles J. Colgan (D-Prince William), chairman of the Finance Committee, wants the tax raised 1.6 cents per year for 10 years. Saslaw notes Virginia's gas tax is far below the national average of 28.5 cents a gallon. Republicans, along with Democrats in the House, argue its irresponsible to raise the gas tax because consumers are already being hit with record fuel prices.

Former Democratic governor Mark R. Warner, a candidate for U.S. Senate, appears to be siding with the GOP and House Democrats in this debate.

The Republican Party of Virginia is apparently struggling to raise money as it gears up for the presidential race and this year's U.S. Senate race between Democrat Mark R. Warner and Republican James S. Gilmore III.

In an email to supporters today, the state party said it has been running a deficit in recent months.

"Just a few weeks ago, we began our efforts to provide bold, new leadership to the Republican Party of Virginia," the email states. "Yet, it hasn't been easy. RPV ran deficits in April, May and now in June, and recent fundraisers have actually lost money."

Washingtonpost.com's Chris Cillizza ranks the seat of retiring Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) as the second most likely congressional district in the country to flip from one party to the other in this year's elections.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly, who secured the Democratic nomination 10 days ago, is running against Republican businessman Keith Fimian in Virginia's 11th District.

No other Virginia district makes Cillizza's top 20 list this week, but some Democrats believe Rep. Thelma Drake, a Republican who represents Virginia Beach, is vulnerable. Virginia Democrats are also hopeful they can give GOP Reps. Frank R. Wolf in Northern Virginia and Virgil Goode in Southside tough races, even though they represent Republican-leaning districts.

Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia professor known for his Election Day observations, today released his most recent take on the U.S. Senate races this November which includes the popular prediction that Virginia's open seat likely will go Democratic.

Sabato expects Democrats to pick up between three and seven seats to add to their razor-thin 51-49 margin in what is shaping up to be a tough political environment for Republicans across the nation. But that's still less than they need to reach 60, the number needed to shut down filibusters.

The Virginia Organizing Project, a group dedicated to combating racial and economic injustice, is engaged in a big effort this year to spread its political message and register new voters.

The Charlottesville-based group has 10 paid field organizers and 50 interns fanned out across the state knocking on doors each day. On an average night, they can hit as many as 4,000 households, according to Joe Szakos, the executive director.

By the end of July, Szakos said the staffers and interns and other volunteers will have distributed about 300,000 voting guides, which contain information about state and federal issues and details on how and where to go to register to vote.

Virginia Democrats love to snicker about the internal divisions that have plagued the state Republican Party in recent years. Now, they've got their own turmoil.

Some Democrats are fuming over how the state party conducted elections at its convention in Hampton on Saturday.

As the 2008 Virginia Democratic Party convention draws to a close, here are eight observations about the weekend's events at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton.

1) If the Democrats' goal was to leave the convention united behind Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), they still have a lot of work to do. Surprisingly, numerous supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY.) said they weren't sure if they would vote for Obama in the fall.

3 p.m.: Former governor Mark R. Warner told the crowd at the Democratic convention that he would not run for vice president alongside Barack Obama if the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee asked.

"I have not sought and I will not accept any other opportunity," Warner told an enthusiastic group wearing blue Warner for Senate stickers.

In recent weeks, Warner, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Sen. James Webb have been mentioned as potential running mates for Obama. But Warner said today he wanted to make it clear that he is focused on beating his Republican senate rival, former governor James S. Gilmore III, in November.

"Today's the day I want to make it clear what I am focused on,'' he said. "The only job I am running for this year is United States Senate."

Democratic activists gathered in Hampton Friday night to kick off the party's state convention, which will take place this weekend at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

Sen. James Webb and U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott were special guests at a pool party at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center while four prominent Democrats hosted a packed party at the Embassy Suites.

"This is energizing the base,'' said C. Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party.

Democrat Gerald E. Connolly of Fairfax County, the top elected official of the region's largest jurisdiction, won a decisive primary victory yesterday in Northern Virginia's 11th Congressional District against former representative Leslie L. Byrne.

But with less than 6 percent of registered voters participating in the election, the results don't say a whole lot about what could happen come November.

Connolly beat Byrne with nearly 58 percent of the vote to her 33 percent. In raw numbers, however, he won by just over 6,000 votes -- little more than 1 percent of the 11th Congressional District's 446,000 active registered voters.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (Prince William), the newly elected chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, continues to shake up the leadership of the state party.

Since defeating former lieutenant governor John H. Hager for the chairman's job last weekend, many of the state party's senior staffers have resigned or been dismissed.

Frederick plans to announce today that Walter M. Curt, owner of Power Motors Inc, a Harrisonburg-based technology firm, will be the party's new finance chairman. Curt replaces Fred Malek, who resigned from his finance role at the state party last week. Malek still serves as the deputy national finance chairman for Arizona Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign.

Sen. John W. Warner (R), who is retiring, announced today he has contributed $2,000 to former Republican governor James S. Gilmore III's campaign to succeed him in the Senate.

Warner's announcement comes on the heels of a report in The Hill newspaper that speculated the state's senior senator may not support Gilmore, who secured the GOP nomination last weekend. Warner apparently made the donation to Gilmore sometime this week.

In a statement, Warner said he has also donated $2,000 each this month to GOP Reps. Frank R. Wolf, Thelma Drake, Eric I. Cantor, Randy Forbes and Robert Goodlatte, all of whom are seeking reelection.

GOP Senate nominee James S. Gilmore III said today he expects that U.S. troops will be in Iraq for years to come because they are central to the efforts to combat terrorism around the world.

"The Iraq war is part of a much larger problem and process that is underway," Gilmore said while being interviewed on The Politics Program on WTOP radio. "We have to define what American policy is going to be. I don't think there is any specific time that we are going to be there militarily, but I do know this, we are not going to do a precipitous withdrawal."

Gail Parker, a retired Air Force Reservist and Defense Department budget analyst, has secured a spot on the November ballot as an Independent Green candidate for U.S. Senate.

"We're been working very hard on it,'' she said. "We were just waiting for official word."

Bill Redpath, national chairman of the Libertarian Party, is still collecting signatures to get his name on the ballot before the State Board of Elections' June 10 deadline. They will be running against Republican James S. Gilmore III and Democrat Mark R. Warner.

Preston Bryant, a former Republican delegate, and Democratic Del. Shannon R. Valentine, are hosting a fundraiser for former governor and U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner (D) tonight in Lynchburg.

An email invitation from Valentine and Bryant, who now works in Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's administration, encourages supporters to attend "a fun, bipartisan evening."

"The crowd promises to have lots of R's and D's and I's,'' according to the invitation. "There will be good food and drink. And the setting will be spectacular."

Democratic Senate Candidate Mark R. Warner has reshuffled his schedule so that he can appear with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) tomorrow at a town-hall meeting in Bristol in Southwest Virginia.

Warner, who has stayed neutral in the presidential race, will not attend the Obama rally at Nissan Pavilion in Prince William due to a prior engagement tomorrow evening. But Warner's appearance with Obama in Bristol will be a symbolic pairing of the two men who will lead the Democratic ticket in the Virginia this year.

Gail Parker, a retired Air Force Reservist and Defense Department budget analyst who has run for office several times in Virginia in recent years, has filed papers to run for U.S. Senate in November.

Parker is still collecting signatures from some areas of the state to appear on the ballot, along with Republican James S. Gilmore III and Democrat Mark R. Warner.

Parker, whose radio jingle in the 2006 Senate campaign (Let's vote for Gail! She's for light rail!) drew jabs from Stephen Colbert on his late-night Comedy Central show, garnered more than one percent of the vote in the razor tight race between Republican George Allen and Democrat James Webb.

Here are the answers to the election questions asked in last week's Virginia Notebook.

On Friday and Saturday, Republicans gathered at a Richmond convention center to select their nominee to fill the seat of retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R). They also elected a party chairman and delegates to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick's election today as the new chairman of Virginia Republican Party will likely lead to some big changes at GOP headquarters, including possibly a new executive director, according to party officials.

Under former lieutenant governor John H. Hager, who Frederick unseated today in the chairman's race, Charles E. Judd served as executive director.

"You will probably be hearing some news about that next week," said Frederick, who lives in Prince William County. "I ran to make changes, so we will be making some changes." He declined further comment.

It's unclear how national Republicans in Washington will react to Frederick's efforts to shake up the party in the middle of a presidential race.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III narrowly won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in a surprisingly close race today at the GOP convention in Richmond.

Gilmore, after squeaking past state Del. Robert G. Marshall (Prince William), now faces the hurdle of uniting a fractured party that in recent years has lost the governor's mansion and one of the state's two U.S. Senate seats.

The vote total announced at the convention was 5,222 for Gilmore and 5,156 for Marshall.

A handful of people voted for a third candidate, Bob Berry, who took his name off the ballot at the last minute. Though Berry's support was not enough to turn the contest, Marshall supporters shouted for a recount.

Gilmore's successor as governor, Mark R. Warner, is the likely Democratic nominee for the fall election. Incumbent Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), no relation to the Democrat, is retiring.

Several Republicans here predicted the party would rally behind Gilmore.

"The ones for Marshall will come around,'' said John Meyer, a delegate from Arlington who supported Gilmore. "Gilmore is a solid Republican, conservative leaning with accomplishments. All the people will come around."

As Republicans met in Richmond to pick a U.S. Senate nominee, former governor Mark R. Warner (D) announced his U.S. Senate campaign will launch a television commercial statewide starting Monday night.

The ad will feature his "bipartisan success in balancing Virginia's budget while responsibly addressing record revenue shortfalls that ultimately reached $6 billion,'' according to his campaign. It will feature former Senate President John H. Chichester, a Republican who was chairman of the the powerful Finance Committee.

"This initial positive ad spells-out governor Warner's track record in bringing all kinds of people together to find bipartisan, common-sense solutions, and that is the same approach he will take to the U.S. Senate," Warner campaign manager Mike Henry said.

Shortly after 11 a.m., thousands of delegates from around Virginia began the intricate, lengthy process of picking between the two leading U.S. Senate candidates, former governor James S. Gilmore III and Del. Robert G. Marshall of Prince William.

Each candidate was given 20 minutes to make his case for why he should be selected to oppose the likely Democratic nominee, former governor Mark R. Warner. The candidates gave impassioned speeches, played videos and had various supporters nominate them.

"I need Jim Gilmore in Washington,'' said U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake, who represents Hampton Roads in Congress.

Marshall appeared to get more cheers from supporters in the crowd, but both had hundreds of people waving signs for them in the audience. "Go Bob go!'' the crowd chanted.

Patrick McSweeney, former chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, called Marshall "a man who follows his conscience no matter how inconvenient or unpopular the results."

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling celebrated an early birthday with hundreds of supporters tonight at the state Republican convention in downtown Richmond.

The state's two top Republicans have been appearing frequently together in recent weeks to promote their ticket for governor and lieutenant governor in 2009. They offered drinks and cake with the words "2009 Winning Team" written in icing to toast their shared birthday of June 15.

"Bill and I don't just share a birthday, we share the same beliefs,'' McDonnell said to a packed room.

Almost 500 Republicans from across the state gathered in downtown Richmond tonight to hear Vice President Dick Cheney speak at the party's annual fundraiser. Cheney, who plans to build a house in McLean after he leaves office in January, encouraged those in the audience to vote for Republicans in November, including Sen. John McCain for president in November.

"You and I belong to the party of limited taxes, limited government and free enterprise,'' he said to applause. "We understand that government exists not to be the people's master but rather their servant."

U.S. Senate candidate James S. Gilmore III has sent out a last-minute mailing accusing his opponent for the Republican nomination, Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), of not being a "reliable conservative voice."

Marshall, widely viewed as one of the most conservative members of the General Assembly when it comes to taxes and social issues, said the mailing proves Gilmore "is behind or close to losing" at this weekend's state GOP convention.

Ana Gamonal, a Gilmore spokeswoman, was not immediately available for comment. But Gilmore has said in the past he is confident he has secured the delegates needed to win the nomination on Saturday.

Thousands of party activists will converge on the Greater Richmond Convention Center this weekend for the state Republican convention.

Republicans will select their nominee for the race to fill the seat of retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R). They will also elect a party chairman and delegates to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.

The convention will offer insight into the future direction of the party and clues into upcoming state and federal elections. Here are 15 questions the convention might help to answer. You can check back next week to find out the answers

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has raised more than $370,000 from 15 contributors since mid March, a clear sign he plans to remain active in the political process even though he cannot seek reelection.

Kaine's fundraising for his political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward, includes a $100,000 donation on April 10 from Radford billionaire R.J. Kirk. Since Kaine took office in 2006, Kirk has donated $550,000 to Kaine's political committee, according to the State Board of Elections.

Kaine has received another $35,000 in donations since mid April from Shelia Johnston, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television. Johnston has contributed a total of $185,000 to Kaine since 2006.

Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), an outspoken conservative and fierce advocate for additional controls on illegal immigration, announced today he is supporting Del. Robert G. Marshall's candidacy for U.S. Senate.

Tancredo's endorsement could boost Marshall (R-Prince William) among conservatives as he battles former governor James S. Gilmore III for the GOP nomination. About 10,000 Republican activists will elect the nominee at the state party convention next weekend.

"We can trust Bob Marshall to oppose amnesty for illegal aliens. In the House of Delegates, Bob has a strong record of doing what he could on the state level to stop illegal immigration," Tancredo said in a statement. "Instead of making vague statements about border security, Bob has a clear-cut plan to build a fence along the border, crack down on employers who hire illegals, and end birthright citizenship."

Former governor James S. Gilmore III, who is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, criticized yesterday's decision of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals striking down Virginia's ban on partial birth abortions.

"This outcome shows how critical it is to have federal judges who will strictly interpret the Constitution," Gilmore said. "This unfortunate ruling by the 4th Circuit Tuesday was decided by two judges appointed by President Bill Clinton. If I am elected to the U.S. Senate I will support the selection of federal judges who do not try to rewrite laws that have been enacted by a duly elected legislature."

Likely Democratic candidate Mark R. Warner was governor when the General Assembly approved the ban on late-term abortions in 2003. He opposed the ban, but the General Assembly overruled him. Warner declined to comment on the court ruling, which will likely thrust the issues of abortion and federal appellate court appointments into the Senate race.

Virginia Sen. James Webb, ending a nationwide publicity tour, is fueling speculation that he will be on Sen. Barack Obama's shortlist for vice presidential candidates.

But don't start making Obama-Webb signs just yet.

Vice-President Dick Cheney will be the keynote speaker at a fundraising gala at the Virginia Republican Party state convention next weekend in Richmond, party officials said today.

Cheney's appearance will almost certainly become fodder for Virginia Democrats, who are trying to link the GOP and its presumptive presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, to the Bush administration.

But the event will be a big money maker for the state GOP, which has been working to keep pace with Virginia Democrats in fundraising.

Arizona Senator John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, is getting a head start on the Democrats when it comes to opening a state headquarters in Virginia.

The McCain campaign, which is partnering with the Virginia Republican Party, is opening an office in the 1200 block of South Clark Street in Arlington. Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, and state party chairman John H. Hager plan to hold a grand opening event at the office on Monday.

The office will serve as "the nerve center" for party officials helping McCain as well as GOP candidates running for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, according to a news release from the state party.

Is former Virginia governor Mark R. Warner, the presumptive Democratic nominee in this year's U.S. Senate race, taking black voters for granted?

Maybe, according to the Richmond Free Press, the city's black newspaper.

In an editorial this morning, the newspaper warned Warner he does not have a lock on the African-American vote. Although the editorial board conceded Warner is heavily favored to win in the fall, it noted former senator George Allen (R) was also the front-runner a few months before he lost his bid for reelection to Democrat James Webb.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John H. Hager anounced today they are leading an effort to build the party's grassroots organizations across the state.

The effort calls on local Republican committees to double their membership lists by Labor Day. Those that do will receive extra money to support their activities, including get-out-the-vote efforts for the November elections.

"Reaching out to those Virginians who share our principles and getting them involved is essential to strengthening the Republican Party and winning elections," Hager said. "This initiative reflects the unity within the party and will pay dividends not only in 2008, but in years to come as well."

The legislative advocacy arm, FRC Action, of the Family Research Council, founded in 1983 to promote "marriage, family and the sanctity of human life," endorsed Del. Robert G. Marshall (Prince William) for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.

"Delegate Marshall is the conservative candidate in this race," said Connie Mackey, senior vice president of the group's legislative advocacy arm, FRC Action. "There is a clear and significant difference between Bob Marshall's claim to the pro-life mantle and Jim Gilmore's."

Hundreds of supporters, including many local elected officials, greeted Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Mark. R. Warner at an outdoor rally outside the Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk on the second day of his four-state tour. A four-piece ensemble played music.

Jim Pierce, a financial adviser from Williamsburg who considers himself a Republican, said he will support Warner because he is impressed with his "common sense" approach and the way he reaches across party lines.

Warner, who calls himself a moderate Democrat, frequently talks of forming a coalition of 10-12 "radical centrist" senators from both parties to hash out compromises.

Eights months after he announced he would run for U.S. Senate, Democrat Mark R. Warner officially launched his campaign tonight in the small town of Abingdon in southwest Virginia.

"I believe that the American public doesn't trust either party enough to give them a blank check and what it's going to take is that both parties need to work together,'' Warner said.

More than 250 supporters welcomed Warner, his wife, Lisa, and their two youngest daughters at E.B. Stanley Middle School for an early dinner of barbecue, cole slaw and pickles. A band played bluegrass music, including a song about Warner from his days as governor.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III is taking swipes at both of the men standing in his way of being elected to the U.S. Senate.

Earlier today, Gilmore's campaign released a statement noting that he won a straw poll taken at the Virginia Conservative Leadership Conference. Gilmore received 57 percent of the vote, compared to 40 percent for his chief opponent for the nomination, Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), who is trying to run to the right of Gilmore.

"Del.Marshall was there that day and he should have owned the room," Jane Dudley, a conservative activist from Henrico County, was quoted as saying in Gilmore's statement. "If he couldn't win in that room it's not looking good for him for the convention."

Gilmore is also taking aim at former governor Mark R. Warner, the likely Democratic nominee.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III will not debate his rival for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), next month in an event sponsored by three Young Republican clubs in Northern Virginia.

"We're past the point of debate,'' said Ana M. Gamonal, Gilmore's spokeswoman.

Gamonal said Gilmore's schedule is packed between now and next month's convention when delegates from across the state will choose a nominee.

U.S. Rep. Eric I. Cantor (R-Va) said today that Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, will have to work hard to make sure the Democratic presidential candidate doesn't win Virginia's 13 electoral votes in the fall.

"I'm just worried, given the track record our party has demonstrated over the past three statewide elections, we've got some work to do," said Cantor, referring to Democrats' success in winning the last two governor's races and the 2006 U.S. Senate race.

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) agreed to participate in a U.S. Senate debate sponsored by three Young Republican clubs in Northern Virginia in the third week of May.

No word on whether his opponent for the Republican nomination, former governor James S. Gilmore III, will participate.

Gilmore turned down previous requests to debate Marshall. Instead, he is concentrating on a possible general election contest with the presumptive Democratic nominee, former governor Mark R. Warner.

The Virginia Democratic Party is mocking former governor James S. Gilmore III's efforts to raise money for his U.S. Senate campaign, saying it shows even Republicans are turning away from him.

Levar Stoney, executive director of the Virginia Democratic Party, sent out a statement this morning noting that Gilmore (R), who so far raised about $750,000 for his campaign, has received contributions from only 394 individuals. Former governor Mark R. Warner, the likely Democratic nominee, reports receiving contributions from 8,700 individuals, Stoney said. Warner has has raised about $6.4million for his campaign.

Ana Gamonal, a Gilmore spokeswoman, accused Stoney of spreading misinformation about Gilmore's fundraising. Gamonal said 1,819 people have donated to Gilmore's campaign, although she notes it doesn't have to itemize contributions of less than $200.

But Democrats believe Gilmore's fundraising proves he is a weak candidate.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III said today that he has secured enough delegates to win the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate next month but his rival, Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), disputed that.

"The race is not over,'' Marshall said.

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) has raised $52,000 for his U.S. Senate bid in the first three months of this year, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission that were due this week.

His Republican rival, former governor James S. Gilmore III (R) raised $396,000. Probable Democratic nominee Mark R. Warner, also a former governor, raised $2.5-million.

Politicians from around the state will flock to tiny Wakefield on Wednesday for the 60th annual Shad Planking, a longtime Virginia tradition where politicians come to see and be seen.

Speakers include U.S. Senate candidates, Republicans James S. Gilmore III and Robert G. Marshall, and Democrat Mark R. Warner. It may the only time the three men share a stage before a Republican nominee is picked next month.

Democrat Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, who is running for governor next year, and his potential rival, Del. Brian J. Moran, both sent their staffs to Wakefield today to help Warner's team set up.

Former governor Mark R. Warner submitted the signatures of 29,146 Virginia voters to the State Board of Elections in Richmond Friday to get his name on the November ballot.

Friday was the deadline for all candidates to submit signatures to get on the ballot.

Republican candidates James S. Gilmore III and Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) did not have to submit signatures. Instead, they will compete for their party's nomination at the state convention in June.

There are now three candidates running for the GOP nomination to replace retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va).

Robert D. "Bob" Berry, a longtime conservative activist from Springfield, says he filed paperwork with the state party last month and has begun making the rounds to local GOP committees.

"The Republican Party is losing its way on a number of very important issues and it needs some serious guidance in terms of resting on its foundational principles," said Berry, who will face former governor James S. Gilmore III and Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) at the GOP state convention in May. "I decided to run because the party needs a lot of help in returning to its roots."

The fight for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate is becoming increasingly heated.

Earlier today, former governor James S. Gilmore III sent out a statement demanding that his opponent for the nomination, Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) apologize for criticizing Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, who endorsed Gilmore yesterday.

As reported by the Virginia Politics blog, Marshall said yesterday that Bolling and McDonnell "have a political death wish for the party" because Gilmore supports abortion rights up until the eighth week of a pregnancy.

"To say that Jim Gilmore or the many prominent Republican leaders who support him have a 'death wish' or are not pro-life is, at best, ill informed and, at worst, out of control political opportunism," Gilmore's campaign manager, Dick Leggitt, said. "Del. Marshall's unfortunate attacks on these distinguished Virginians are repugnant."

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) lashed out at Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling today over their decision to endorse James S. Gilmore's bid for Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Marshall, who is also running for the Senate, accused Bolling and McDonnell of condoning Gilmore's support for abortion rights up until the eighth week of a pregnancy.

"You've got basically the entire Republican establishment endorsing a candidate, Jim Gilmore, who wants to keep 60 percent of all abortions now being done legal," said Marshall, who noted both McDonnell and Bolling are likely GOP candidates for governor next year. "These guys have a political death wish for the party. How do they expect all the Reagan Democrats to work for them when they are running for office next year...They are ensuring a Democratic victory statewide next year."

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov Bill Bolling, both likely GOP candidates for governor next year, today endorsed James S. Gilmore III in the U.S. Senate race.

Gilmore, who was governor from 1998 to 2002, is running against Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) for the GOP nomination for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (D). The party will select its nominee at a convention in May.

In a statement, Bolling said Gilmore is one of "the most consistent and principled conservative leaders" he has ever known.

"Jim Gilmore knows what he believes in, and he fights for it, when it's easy and when it's not," Bolling said. "That's the kind of leader we need representing us in the United States Senate."

Former governor James S. Gilmore III, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Senate, unveiled a series of endorsements today to demonstrate his committement to the "sanctity of life and the preservation of traditional family values."

In a joint statement, 23 GOP conservative activists are urging GOP activists to get behind Gilmore, calling him "a strong, pro-family conservative."

The statement comes as Gilmore is trying to fend off a challenge for the nomination from Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), who is also a conservative. Marshall, who argues he is a stronger opponent of abortion rights than Gilmore is, has been quietly lining up support. Several thousand party activists will decide the nominee at party convention in May.

Gilmore has embraced a strategy in which he largely ignores Marshall, instead focusing on former governor Mark R. Warner, the likely Democratic nominee. It's a risky strategy.

Sen. James Webb said today he is endorsing Leslie L. Byrne in the race for the Democratic nomination in the 11th congressional district.

"I am convinced that Leslie Byrne is our best candidate," Webb said in a statement. " Leslie shares my values about economic fairness and the need to re-order our national security policies - both in Iraq and throughout the world. In her service as a state legislator and member of Congress, Leslie Byrne has demonstrated time and again that she is tough, fiercely independent and willing to stand up to powerful special interests. I would be proud to serve in Congress with her."

Byrne is running against Fairfax County Board chairman Gerald E. Connolly, retired naval commander Doug Denneny and Lori P. Alexander in the June 10 Democratic primary. Incumbent Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) is retiring.

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), who opposed the landmark transportation bill that the Virginia Supreme Court declared unconstitutional Friday, can't help but feel a little vindicated.

"Fours words: I told you so,'' said Marshall, one of the plaintiffs in the suit against the transportation plan. "I'm not going to say that. Look, last year when this thing was going on, I said I wanted an opinion that said this was constitutional. We never got it."

Marshall, who is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate this year, said there were 17 votes in the House against the bill last year but he was the only one who filed a lawsuit.

Is he the only political winner today?

"The people are the winners,'' he said. "I just stood up for them."

Former governor Mark R. Warner (D) announced today that Mike Henry, who resigned earlier this month as Sen. Hillary Clinton's deputy campaign manager, will oversee his U.S. Senate campaign this year.

A graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Henry is a veteran of Virginia politics. After working for Virginia House and Senate Democratic caucuses in the 1990s, Henry led the state Democratic party's coordinated campaign effort when Warner ran for governor in 2001.

In 2005, Henry managed Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's (D) campaign for governor. Henry is widely credited with helping to revamp how Virginia Democrats win statewide elections by targeting new groups of suburban voters and perfecting the get out to vote effort.

Sen. Barack Obama didn't just beat Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Virginia Democratic primary Feb..12. He defeated her so handily that Virginia politicians running for Congress or statewide office might want to study the results for clues about their political futures.

Obama's 28-point margin of victory was one of the largest percentage-point wins in recent history by a candidate in a supposedly competitive statewide primary or general election.

Here are some winners and losers from the Virginia Democratic Party's annual Jefferson Jackson Day dinner Saturday night in Richmond. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) spoke to about 6,000 party activists and donors. Before the event, which also featured speeches from a elected leaders and party officials, hundreds of Clinton and Obama supporters faced off outside the Stuart C. Siegel Center on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Winners:

Barack Obama Virginia organizers: Obama supporters appeared to outnumber Clinton supporters by about 3 to 1. Before the dinner, about 300 Obama supporters paraded down one of Richmond's busiest streets to show their support for their candidate. The Obama campaign, aided by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's (D) trusted political aide Charlie Kelly, even brought in a marching band to lead the group. There was little doubt inside or outside the Siegel Center that Obama supporters appeared more energetic.

Former governor James S. Gilmore (R) praised the House of Delegates today for their efforts to stiffen regulations on payday lenders while taking a not-so-subtle jab at his potential rivial in this year's U.S. Senate race, former governor Mark R. Warner (D).

"It is no secret that payday lending stores opened under the leadership of Mark Warner and the bill he signed into law,'' Gilmore said in a statement. "Their loans are deceptive and they should at a minimum be held to the same standards as other small-loan lenders operating in Virginia. Mark Warner's decision to adopt this policy was wrong and ultimately the people of Virginia have rejected it."

Former governor James S. Gilmore's end-of-the-year campaign finance reports will show he has raised $348,000 for his bid for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate, according to his advisers.

Gilmore has raised far less money than the likely Democratic nominee, former governor Mark R. Warner, but Gilmore advisers say they are pleased with their effort. They note Gilmore didn't enter the race until late November and had to suspend his fundraising efforts over the holidays.

"We are looking to raise enough money to put our organization and our campaign in place so for three weeks of work during the holiday season. The governor is proud of what he was able to accomplish in a short period of time, said Ana Gamonal, Gilmore's communications director.

Former governor Mark R. Warner (D), a candidate for U.S. Senate this year, will report today that he raised $2.7 million in the last quarter, on top of the $1.1 million he had already raised.
Former governor James Gilmore (R), a candidate for the GOP nomination, will announce his fundraising totals later today. He entered the race in November.

John H. Hager said today he plans to seek a full term as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, despite a challenge from Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R-Prince William).

Hager, who became chairman in July after Ed Gillespie joined the Bush administration, said he wants to continue his efforts to put forward "a reform agenda" for the state party.

"I am not in a career job and I think I can do a good job," Hager said. "We are in good shape financially, which had not been the case before...We are working on being more of a service organization for our elected officials. ... I am imminently involved with all these pieces of the building blocks, so it is probably not a good time to make a change."

U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va) formally endorsed Sen. Barack Obama today, saying he is the only Democratic candidate who can carry rural America and Virginia in the general election.

Boucher represents a district that is 93 percent white and includes all of rural southwestern Virginia. During a conference call, a reporter from a local paper asked Boucher if Obama's race would be a factor with voters. Boucher responded Obama's "message of hope and his clear focus on the future...transcends all other issues."

"After watching all of the candidates in their performances so far, the most compelling of the candidates is Senator Obama," Boucher said. "He clearly, in my mind, offers the best opportunity to win the general election."

You can read Boucher's full statement below.

Get ready to be inundated with a series of potentially competitive elections.

Because of the Democratic resurgence in Virginia, voters are going to be facing more choices at the polls over the next two years than they have in decades.

It all starts Feb. 12, with the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) has endorsed a bill by Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Prince William) that would allow Virginia voters to register with a political party.

Bolling sent a letter to lawmakers today that says party registration would "maintain the integrity of the party nomination process in Virginia" and allow candidates "to more effectively identify voters and efficiently communicate with them."

The Virginia Republican Party and GOP Senate candidate James S. Gilmore III are both beefing up their communications staffs in preparation for the fall elections.

State Party Chairman John Hager announced today that Josh Noland will be the party's new communications director.

Noland, who replaces Sean Kenney, used to work for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

Since announcing his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in November, there have been questions about whether former governor James S. Gilmore III could attract support from Republicans in Washington.

But Gilmore sent an email to supporters today that notes he's already received campaign donations from 13 GOP senators.

Gilmore says he's received contributions from Trent Lott of Mississippi, Orrin Hatch of Utah, Wayne Allard of Colorado, Richard Burr or North Carolina, Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma , Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas.

It's worth noting one prominent Republican senator wasn't on the list - Virginia Sen. John W. Warner.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee came after Democratic Senate candidate Mark Warner today on the issue of illegal immigration.

In a release titled "Marky Mark Flips on Immigration," the NRSC accused Warner of changing his position on the issue. The NRSC referenced comments Warner, who was governor between 2002 and 2006, made to a Virginia television station yesterday. Warner was quoted as saying he supports sanctions on employers who hire illegal immigrants.

NRSC Communications Director Rebecca Fisher said Warner's get-touch approach contrasts with his record as governor because he vetoed a bill to deny in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.

Virginia Del. Robert G. Marshall of Prince William will announce Monday he is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Marshall, who is known for his conservative views on social issues and taxes, has scheduled a 1:30 p.m. press conference at the state capitol to make his announcement.

Marshall will challenge former governor James S. Gilmore III for the GOP nomination. Marshall says Gilmore is too moderate on some issues, including his past support for abortion rights during the first trimester.

"I did a lot of calling around the state and I got an excellent response from Republican Party officials," Marshall said. "I just concluded I matched their aspiration for the views they think should be expressed and defended by a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate."

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, one of Barack Obama's national co-chairmen, said today that the Illinois senator and presidential hopeful feels like there is "real good momentum" leading up to the Iowa caucuses.

Kaine (D) spent New Year's Day with Obama in Sioux City and Council Bluffs, where more than 1,000 supporters turned out for each event on a day that had temperatures in the single digits.

"It's so close and it's all about turnout and getting folks excited,'' Kaine said. "From what I could tell yesterday, people are pretty excited."

Kaine traveled to South Carolina the weekend before Christmas to campaign for Obama but was not able to go to Iowa as he had planned because of a snow storm. Kaine spent a weekend in Iowa in November.

Former Gov. Mark Warner has received more than 1,400 online donations totaling more than half a million dollars since he announced in September he was running for U.S. Senate next year.

In an email to supporters today, Warner asks for more contributions to reach his 2007 goal of 1,500 online donors before midnight Dec. 31.

"Trust me: that sends a powerful message that Virginians are ready for transformative change and a new approach in Washington,'' he wrote. "Let's make that message even more loud and clear."

Warner is the likely Democratic nominee in the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. John Warner. Former Gov. James S. Gilmore III is running for the Republication nomination while Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) said he is considering running.

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) said Thursday he is forming an exploratory committee as he considers running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate against former Gov. James S. Gilmore III next year.

"I am pleased that many Republican party leaders, in addition to grass-roots citizens, have encouraged me to run,'' Marshall said in a statement.

Marshall, known for his conservative views on social issues, led the fight against the recently approved transportation bill and helped win passage of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions. He was reelected this year with 58 percent of the vote.

After they won control of the state Senate last month, Virginia Democrats were confident about their potential for future success, even in Republican-leaning areas.

But it took only a month for reality to set in. In many parts of Virginia, voters continue to have strong affection for Republicans.

Former governor Mark R. Warner (D) picked up more than a quarter million dollars last night for his U.S. Senate campaign at a fundraiser at the home of Northern Virginia financier W. Russell Ramsey.

Ramsey, president of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. Inc., is one of Warner's closest friends. The event was billed as a celebration of Warner's 53rd birthday, which takes place Saturday.

Warner's haul comes as he is trying to raise as much as possible before the Dec. 31 campaign finance reporting deadline for federal candidates. Last month, Warner spent a week on the West Coast raising money.

As of Sept. 30, Warner had already raised more than $1 million for his campaign. Former governor James S. Gilmore III, the likely GOP nominee for Senate, is also busy raising money. Republican sources say Gilmore's fundraising is going better than expected, although they don't anticipate he will be able to keep pace with Warner's national network of donors.

To figure out James S. Gilmore III's campaign strategy in next year's U.S. Senate race, one only has to listen to him for a few minutes.

In an interview with reporters at the Virginia Republican Party retreat last weekend, Gilmore stressed that former governor Mark R. Warner, the likely Democratic nominee for Senate, won't be on the ballot by himself.

"My strategy is defeating a Clinton-Warner ticket," said Gilmore, who is assuming that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York will be the Democratic nominee for president. "It will be Hillary Clinton together with Mark Warner, and at that point, people's opinion about the ticket will change."

A Fairfax County man has filed paperwork to challenge former governor Mark R. Warner for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, which could set up a potential June primary.

Julien Modica, of Fairfax, said he is running on a platform of securing more federal funding for veterans who return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with brain injuries.

"These kids are 19 and 21 years old and they are going to be alive for another 50 years," Modica said in an interview. "These are celebrated veterans, but when they are back here in the United States, Americans have to realize these people need to be properly taken care of."

Let the games begin.

According to Democratic sources, either the Democratic Party of Virginia or the Mark Warner for Senate campaign had a videographer, known as a tracker, infiltrate the Republican Party Advance this weekend in Crystal City. The tracker shot footage of former governor James S. Gilmore III, the likely GOP nominee for Senate, and other speakers at the annual Republican retreat.

As has been well documented, a tracker helped bring down Sen. George F. Allen (R-Va.) in last year's U.S. Senate race. Because it's 11 months until the 2008 election, Virginia Democrats appear to be raising the stakes in what is sure to become a heated campaign.

No word on whether the current Democratic tracker is a college student, as was the now infamous S.R. Sidarth, the Democratic tracker who captured Allen's "macaca" remark on tape last August.

The annual Virginia Republican Party Advance is the ultimate venue for schmoozing, jockeying for attention and laying the groundwork for future bids for office. So here's my take on the winners and losers of this weekend's event, which drew about 650 party activists and leaders to the Hyatt Regency at Crystal City.

Advance Winners -

Attorney General Bob McDonnell - The attorney general hosted a party for GOP activists on Friday and Saturday nights. Both were well attended, and there were plenty of people throughout the weekend wearing "Bob McDonnell" stickers. There also was a strong sentiment from GOP activists that McDonnell should run for governor in 2009, even if former governor and senator George Allen enters the race.

George Allen - While Allen wasn't nearly as visible as McDonnell was, the former governor and senator gave what many considered to be a strong, inspiring speech in support of Fred Thompson's presidential bid.

Del. Christopher B. Saxman (R-Staunton) announced today he will not enter the race for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Saxman's decision could all but clear the field for former governor James S. Gilmore III to be the GOP nominee against former governor Mark R. Warner, the likely Democratic nominee.

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) is now the only other Republican besides Gilmore publicly considering the race.

Del. Christopher B. Saxman (R-Staunton) will announce this weekend whether he plans to challenge former governor James S. Gilmore III for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

In an interview today, Saxman said he will tell party activists his decision during the Virginia Republican Party Advance in Crystal City. Saxman is scheduled to address the annual GOP retreat Saturday afternoon, after Gilmore addresses the group.

In recent weeks, Saxman has been meeting with dozens of local, state and federal party officials to gauge whether he should enter the race. Some Republicans fear Gilmore is not the party's best candidate to take on former governor Mark R. Warner, the likely Democratic nominee.

"I will announce this weekend," said Saxman, 42. "The time is too compressed. We can't leave these things out there until the end of the year. It's time to move on with a decision."

This Week's Winners

Barack Obama - Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and his 17-year-old son, Nat, spent the weekend shuffling around Iowa, attending 10 small events for the Democratic presidential candidate. If Kaine worked that hard in Iowa for Obama, you've got to expect that the governor will pull out all the stops to help him win Virginia in the Feb. 12 Democratic primary -- assuming the nomination fight is still competitive.

Del. Christopher B. Saxman - The Republican delegate from Staunton sends out signals he may challenge former governor James S. Gilmore III for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. Saxman's potential candidacy has created a buzz among party activists and conservative bloggers who fear Gilmore is unelectable in a general election. While Saxman faces an uphill challenge, it's noteworthy that a three-term delegate is even being considered as a possible credible challenger to a former governor.

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) said today he is considering entering the race for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate.

In an interview, Marshall said several party activists are urging him to challenge former governor James S. Gilmore III ( R), who announced his candidacy Monday.

Marshall, known for his conservative views on social issues, called a potential Senate bid an "interesting possibility." He added "certain things have to fall in place" before he makes a final decision but said he is "certainly looking at" the race.

"I can replicate the Reagan Revolution," said Marshall, who led the fight against the recently approved transportation bill and was a leader in winning passage of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions. "I have not voted for taxes. I am consistent on the right to life. I have done things to help senior citizens. I am not tied to developers. I get a 100 percent rating from environment groups. How many Republicans can do that and are conservative?"

Former governor Mark R. Warner (D) has been a U.S. Senate candidate for two months. Former governor James S. Gilmore III (R) has been a Senate candidate for two days.

Who do you think has the better website?

You can find Warner's website here. You can find Gilmore's website here.

You may notice one distinction. Warner's website doesn't include a section outlining his views on the issues yet. But Gilmore's includes his positions on illegal immigration, energy independence, taxes, transportation, education and terrorism.

Will U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va) endorse former Gov. James S. Gilmore III''s bid for U.S. Senate?

It's difficult to tell from the statement the senior senator issued tonight.

Warner said Gilmore "has a record of extensive, credible public service." But Warner also hinted that some Republicans are looking for another GOP candidate to get into the race.

"Across the state there is a growing interest in putting forward a strong Republican slate of nominees - Senate and House - for the 2008 congressional elections," Warner said in his statement.

Del. Christopher B. Saxman (R-Staunton) said today he is "strongly considering" challenging former governor James S. Gilmore III for the GOP nomination for Senate.

In an interview, Saxman said the party "needs new leadership" and "new blood." Saxman said he's been hearing from a lot of Repubicans who say the GOP needs to find a Senate candidate other than Gilmore who can reach out to independents and voters in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.

Over the past week, Saxman has been meeting with several of his Republican colleagues in the House about making the race. He says he's also been in discussions with White House and national GOP officials.

Saxman, who had been angling to run for lieutenant governor in 2009, says he expects to make up his mind in a few weeks.

"I just think people want to break out of the direction that the party has been going in and make changes," said Saxman, 42.

Former Gov. Mark Warner's spokesman Kevin Hall sent out a press release about former Gov. Jim Gilmore's announcement on getting into the U.S. Senate race:

"Virginians will have an opportunity to make a clear choice between two starkly different records and two dramatically different styles of leadership.

Earlier today, I conducted a 20-minute interview with New York Public Radio about Virginia politics.

Amy Eddings, a guest host for the "The Leonard Lopate Show" on WYNC, wanted to know if Virginia really is turning blue? We discussed last week's state legislative elections and next year's presidential and U.S. Senate contests. I also took questions about the state's shifting demographics, illegal immigration and the role of military voters in state politics.

You can find an audio clip of the interview here.

An occasional list of people in the news who came out on top. Or not.
This Week's Winners
George Allen - The former governor and senator reemerged onto the political stage this week with an op-ed in the Richmond Times Dispatch and a press conference announcing his support for Fred Thompson's bid for the GOP nomination for president. In both settings, Allen began to reassert his influence into the Virginia Republican Party. At the press conference, Allen was affable, humble, folksy and talkative.

Planned Parenthood - After Democrats' success in the Nov. 6 legislative elections, the women's rights organization feels emboldened to crow about its renewed influence in state politics. The organization sent out a press release Monday noting that Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) wants to cut off state funding for abstinence-only sex education programs. Planned Parenthood says the election results proves Virginia voters back Kaine's approach because they are "tired of ideology."

Democratic Senate Mark R. Warner is on his way back to Virginia today after a weeklong fundraising tour on the West Coast.

Warner, who was governor between 2002 and 2006, hit up donors in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix.

Kevin Hall, a Warner spokesman, said he's not sure how much the former governor raised, but described the fund-raisers as "very successful events."

Former senator George F. Allen (R-Va.) and Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R), potential rivals in the 2009 governor's race, joined this morning to reiterate their support for Fred Thompson's bid for the GOP presidential nomination.

At an event in Richmond, Allen and McDonnell praised Thompson's conservative credentials and said he is the Republican's best hope for unifying the party.

"It is very easy for me to advocate for Fred because we think so much alike," said Allen, who cited Thompson's views on abortion, taxes, national security, illegal immigration and trade.

McDonnell noted that Thompson won the endorsement yesterday of the National Right to Life group. "He has been a longstanding supporter of traditional values, a longstanding supporter of marriage and life," said McDonnell, who also noted that Thompson has a house in Northern Virginia.

Former governor Mark R. Warner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008, has launched a new campaign blog on his website.

Warner also sent out a statement this morning soliciting campaign donations. Warner said Virginia Democrats "are on a roll" because of their success in Tuesday's state legislative elections. In the statement, Warner says he and his successor, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), have a record that "speaks for itself."

U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, a popular Republican who represents suburban Richmond, has been increasingly mentioned as a possible statewide candidate, even perhaps as a candidate in next year's U.S. Senate race against Democrat Mark R. Warner.

Many Republicans believe Cantor would be a formidable candidate in a statewide race because he is a proven fundraiser who has strong ties to both the conservative and moderate wings of the GOP. Cantor has also been mentioned as a possible future Speaker of the House if the Republicans regain control of Congress.

In an interview today, Cantor declined to rule out making a statewide bid for office. His quote is ripe for parsing.

Virginia Sen. James Webb (D) was the keynote speaker tonight at the New Hampshire Democratic Party Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner, a noteworthy honor for a freshman senator.

Webb, who's been touted as a possible vice-presidential candidate, accused Republicans of blocking Democrats' efforts to change direction in Iraq, according to a transcript of the speech.

Webb asked the audience to work to defeat New Hampshire Sen. John Sununu, who is up for re-election in 2008, so Senate Democrats can accomplish more. Webb recounted how one of his top priorities - enacting a bill that would have required that troops get more rest at home before being redeployed - was defeated this summer when Democrats could not muster the 60 votes needed to end a GOP filibuster.

"When the Republicans vote against the troops on an issue like this, they deserve to be held accountable," said Webb, who also spoke about Bush's foreign policy and need to reform the nation's economic and criminal justice system.

You can find a full transcript of Webb's speech below.

Winners:
Mark Tate- All campaign finance fraud charges were dismissed against the former GOP Senate candidate from Loudoun County after the prosecutor said the case had been tainted by allegations of improprieties in the investigation.

Tim Kaine Two different polls came out during the past week showing Kaine's approval ratings remain strong, despite the summer-long controversy over abuser fees and illegal immigration. Kaine has also proved he's a prolific fundraiser. Kaine's political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward, has $1 million in the bank to spend in the campaign's final days. With three weeks to go until the election, Kaine is popular and rich. What more could a politician ask for?

Jim Gilmore: The former governor scores a big victory by convincing the Republican State Central Committee to hold a convention over a primary to select its nominee in next year's U.S. Senate race. Gilmore also appears hungry to get back into the game. He showed up at the central committee meeting and was personally lobbying members right up to the vote. His chief rival, Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.), was campaigning for his wife, Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R) is hinting that he is unlikely to be a candidate in next year's U.S. Senate race.

As reported this morning by The Hill newspaper, Davis spoke to a breakfast gathering at the National Press Club yesterday. At the event, Davis said he may be inclined to challenge Sen. James Webb in 2012 instead of taking on Democrat Mark R. Warner in 2008 for the seat of retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va).

"There are other races; this isn't the only shot," said Davis, according to The Hill. "You've got a very vulnerable guy sitting there in the other Senate seat right now who may or may not run in four years. And you know what? If you don't go to the Senate, so what? I've been a committee chairman in the House. I've got my portrait hanging on a wall. I've been pretty productive legislatively."

A new poll shows former governor Mark R. Warner (D) with a nearly 2 to 1 lead in next year's U.S. Senate race over either one of his potential GOP challengers.

The poll by Christopher Newport University shows Warner beating either former governor James P. Gilmore III or Rep. Thomas M. Davis III by a margin of 24 points. If the election were held today, 51 percent of voters would support Warner while 27 percent said they would favor either Gilmore or Davis.

The Christopher Newport University survey also found that voters have a negative view of the Republican-controlled General Assembly, but they support Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

There's been lots of speculation that Sen. James Webb (D) could be on the short list for vice-president in 2008. But maybe Webb has his eye on the top job?

And, as everyone knows, the road to the Democratic presidential nomination in 2012 or 2016 will likely run through New Hampshire. Webb, 61, will be keynote speaker Saturday at New Hampshire Democratic Party Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Manchester.

Webb's appearance reminds me of a private discussion I had with one of his campaign staffers after last year's U.S. Senate race. The friend said Webb wants to be President someday. Webb just laughed when I asked him later whether a presidential run is in his future.

Jon Cohen, the Washington Post polling director, and polling analyst Jennifer Agiesta, conducted an online chat today on the paper's recent Virginia poll. The poll found that Democrat Mark R. Warner has a big lead in next year's U.S. Senate race. The paper also reported that a majority of voters want the Democrats to take control of the General Assembly.

You can find Jon and Jennifer's chat here.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's approval rating has dropped 14 points in the last year, but a large majority of residents still think he is doing a good job, according to a Washington Post poll scheduled to be published Sunday.

The poll will cover Virginians' views on next month's election for control of the General Assembly. It willl also gauge voters' attitudes about the two parties as well as issues such as transportation and the environment. A poll published today looked at next year's Senate and presidential race.

Kaine has been campaigning for Democratic candidates running for the House and Senate. In a Washington Post poll last year, Kaine scored an unusually high 77 percent approval rating. But this weekend's poll shows Kaine with a 63 percent approval rating.

As Virginia Republican leaders gather this weekend to decide whether to hold a convention or primary to select their nominee for the U.S. Senate, no one will be following the outcome more closely than U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.).

The Mark Warner for Senate campaign will be moving into a a new office later this week.

Campaign officials say the office, at 1029 N. Royal Street in Alexandria, is more than double the size of their current space on Union Street in Alexandria.

The new digs, which Warner plans to stay in through the general election next year, consists of a large open space and several smaller offices.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee isn't wasting any time going after Democratic senatorial candidate Mark R. Warner, who was governor between 2002 and 2006..

Even though the 2008 election is more than 13 months away, the RNSCC sent out a statement today challenging Warner to tell voters why he broke his 2001 campaign pledge not to raise state taxes.

If Republicans acted like Democrats, they wouldn't be priming for a clash next year over who their party's nominee will be for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John W. Warner (R-Va.).

With former governor Mark R. Warner (D) now a Senate candidate, Republicans are bracing for a nasty primary or convention battle between Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Fairfax) and former governor James S. Gilmore

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, a possible Republican Senate candidate in 2008, is requesting a inquiry into whether the New York Times allowed Moveon.org to run its controversial "General Betray Us" ad at a discounted rate.

In a letter to Henry A. Waxman (D-Ca), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Davis said the "committee should hold a hearing to examine whether the advertising rates and practices of media companies conceal unlawful campaign contributions."

Davis is the ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. In his letter, Davis cites a published report that said Moveon paid $65,000 for the ad. Davis said the New York Times admitted that the open rate for such an ad is $181,000.

Two of the nation's leading conservative activists announced today they are supporting former Gov. James Gilmore if he decides to seek the the Republican nomination for the Senate seat being vactated by John W. Warner (R).

David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union, and Paul Weyrich, executive of the Free Congress Foundation, said in a joint letter that Gilmore is the Republican Party's " best opportunity to hold on to Senator Warner's seat in the election in November of 2008."

"He is honest, consistent and conservative," Keene and Weyrich wrote.

When he launched his bid for the U.S. Senate on Sept. 13, former Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) said the campaign wouldn't begin in earnest until after the Nov. 6 state legislative races.

But Warner apparently couldn't pass up the chance to promote his candidacy during his annual pig roast on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, Warner's staff had 10,000 blue and white 'Mark Warner 08" bumper stickers printed.

Mark Warner's campaign for the U.S. Senate is only three days old and he is already battered and bruised - literally.

On Saturday, Warner held his 15th annual pig roast at his farm in King George County overlooking the Rappahannock River.

The event attracted several thousand of people, many of whom were Democratic activists or elected officials, who traveled from Richmond or Northern Virginia to spend an afternoon eating pork and talking politics.

Former Gov. Mark R. Warner ended what little suspense was left yesterday by announcing he's in the U.S. Senate race. Now the attention turns on the Republicans to see what they're going to do. We want to know what you think about the 2008 Senate race. Click on comments. Here are a few reactions.