The Campaign for Battleground Virginia
posted 11:32 pm Mon August 04, 2008 - Across Virginia
reporter:
Manuel Quinones
posted by:
Webteam
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In less than a hundred days, people from all over the nation will head to the polls. And experts are gearing up for a huge voter turnout, especially here in "Battleground: Virginia."
In fact, Lynchburg registrar Pat Bower says the office is handling a lot of election-related transactions; many more than last year. That includes address changes and new registrations. She's expecting a lot of new voters to show up at the polls, and she's warning about long lines. They usually don't order ballots for everyone registered but they may have to this year.
Pat Bower, Lynchburg Registrar - "Just because we think turnout is going to be so heavy and we don't want to run any risk of running out of ballots."
Bower says state officials are also working with other registrars to plan for any problems that may happen that day.
There's a possibility both Vice Presidential candidates this November will come from Virginia. We know Barack Obama (web|news|bio) is considering Governor Tim Kaine (web) . Now the buzz has John McCain (web|news|bio) looking at Representative Eric Cantor.
Cantor has submitted paperwork to the McCain campaign, just like Governor Kaine reportedly did for Obama. And some say Cantor has an even bigger shot at being McCain's number two if Obama picks Kaine.
It's his turn in the national spotlight. The congressman from the 7th district of Virginia may get his turn at the Vice Presidency.
Jeanne Cummings, Politico.com - "He's a new generation of leader, he's a rising star in the House conference and he comes from the conservative, fiscally conservative wing of the party."
Jeanne Cummings with our partner Politico.com says Cantor may help McCain win Virginia, especially if Obama picks Kaine for the same purpose.
Cummings - "The fact that Cantor is from Virginia is important as well, because he could serve as an antidote to Tim Kaine."
But Cantor has weaknesses too. He's an unknown whose inexperience in a national campaign could prove a liability. We called Cantor's Washington office but he's not talking about being McCain's running mate. So when will we know? Obama may wait until after the Olympics start and right before the Democratic convention to make his pick.
Cummings - "I think he feels as though he can still command plenty of media attention.... for John McCain is a trickier calculation."
McCain's best bet may very well be to wait until Obama picks to announce his running mate. Just because McCain is considering Cantor does not mean he's a shoe-in. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty are also on the list.
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