Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, in a letter to House and Senate budget negotiators today said he has "strong concern with House language amendment in the "caboose bill" directing the Secretary of Transportation to resolicit competitive proposals for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project."

The comments are tied to the decision of Republican Delegates David B. Albo, of Fairfax County, and Joe. T. May, of Leesburg, to insert language into the so-called "caboose budget bill," which sews up any loose financial ends in the two-year budget that ends June 30 that would put the 23-mile rail expansion's first phase out for competitive bidding.

The battle comes roughly a month after federal transit officials warned Kaine's administration and Virginia's congressional delegation that the proposed rail extension was on the verge of losing out on $900 million in federal funding.

Despite warnings in the summer from federal officials, Kaine and Virginia's congressional leaders were caught off-guard.

But House Republicans, namely House Speaker William J. Howell, of Stafford County, and Albo, of Fairfax County, acted as if they were not surprised at all.

Albo and May followed up by pushing the amendment.

Asked why, Albo shot me this note last week:

"Whether you agree or disagree with the FTA, the bottom line is that they have the $900 Million we need for the project and unless we satisfy them, we don't get the $900 Million and the rail will not be constructed ... Unless someone does something different and does something fast, to quote the FTA itself, 'the reasonably likelihood' that the rail will be funded is slim to none.

"So what am I trying to do about it? I am trying to get VDOT off the dime and address FTA's concerns, and address them fast. I am doing this by trying to pass an amendment to the Budget which commands VDOT to address FTA's concerns and to stop filing the same plan over and over again."

In the letter to budget negotiators, Kaine said the project continues to be under careful review and negotiation by the Commonwealth and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

"By following the direction recommended by the House, the Commonwealth would be placed in a position to incur substantial legal and financial liabilities and the project would be seriously jeopardized," Kaine said. "Further, rebidding the contract would send a very damaging message to other potential bidders on other Public-Private Partnership projects, within transportation and all other areas."

To which he added, "It would call into question the integrity of the process and the credibility of the Commonwealth as a partner."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

In today's story I share some of the thoughts Virginia Republicans have about Delegate Robert G. Marshall's U.S. Senate candidacy.

Shaun Kenney, former spokesman for the Republican Party of Virginia and political blogger, summed up Marshall's candidacy by telling me, "People may come after him and say he is not a team payer, but Bob Marshall never has to apologize for a bad vote to his conservative base."

Still, former Gov. Jim Gilmore — Marshall's rival this year for the party's Senate nomination — has largely ignored his candidacy and pointed his criticisms at former Gov. Mark Warner, the presumptive Democratic nominee who announced his candidacy last year.

Some conservative Republicans say Gilmore could be underestimating Marshall and his mere presence shows the looming doubt about the former governor's stance on abortion issues.

Gilmore is on the record as saying opposes the procedure but that a woman should be allowed a choice in the first eight weeks of pregnancy.

Late last night, in an email I received after the story went to print, state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, Fairfax County Republican, said: "Bob has a track record of unflinching conservative leadership on a wide array of issues from life to taxes — issues that he will confront again as our next U.S. Senator."

"He has defeated Mark Warner and his allies when woefully under funded on both the sales tax referendum (virtually head to head) and on the marriage amendment," Mr. Cuccinelli said. "I worked hand in hand with Bob on each of these efforts, and I know from personal experience his complete commitment to doing the right thing for Virginia and America."

"Bob's maverick approach is a positive and a negative, but I would ask people to step back and ask themselves: 'Do we need another Senator that rocks the boat like Senator Tom Coburn?' I say 'you bet!' His maverick approach makes permanent alliances harder, but it also keeps his own team honest and focused on staying consistent on issues of principle, something that has been sorely lacking in the U.S. Senate. The average voter appreciates political mavericks, they don't want to vote for rubber stamps."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia reporter, The Washington Times

Roughly 10 days after he resigned as Sen. Hillary Clinton's deputy campaign manager, Mike Henry has returned to the Commonwealth to run former Gov. Mark R. Warner's U.S. Senate campaign.

Warner is expected to face former Gov. Jim Gilmore, a Republican, in the November election, the same day the country's next president will be chosen.

Here is part of the news release:

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former Governor Mark R. Warner announced today that Mike Henry, a veteran of several successful campaigns over the last 15 years, will manage the Governor’s campaign for the U.S. Senate. Henry, 39, will begin work with "Friends of Mark Warner" on March 3.

After graduating from Old Dominion University in Norfolk in 1990, Henry worked on U.S. House and Senate campaigns in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, and Maryland. He worked for the Virginia General Assembly's House and Senate Democratic Caucuses through much of the 1990s, and led the Democratic Coordinated Campaign effort that resulted in the election of Governor Warner and Lieutenant Governor Timothy M. Kaine in 2001.

In 2005, Henry managed Kaine’s successful statewide campaign for Virginia Governor. He worked for the Democratic U.S. Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2006, and most recently served as deputy manager of U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

"Mike has played a key role in several recent political successes here in the Commonwealth, and his experience and skill will be important as we prepare to launch our effort to change the divisive politics of Washington," former Governor Warner said. "I have confidence in Henry’s ability to lead winning campaigns, and I welcome him to our team."

"Governor Warner has a proven record of bringing people together and working for common-sense solutions, and I believe it is vitally important that we elect him to the U.S. Senate this fall," Henry said. "Whether it's making health care and college affordable, investing in quality schools or creating good jobs, Virginians can count on Governor Warner to level with us and offer creative solutions to the challenges we face."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia reporter, The Washington Times

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's Democrat victories last night in the Wisconsin primary and Hawaii caucus have not made life easier for superdelegates in Virginia who have pledged their support to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Two Clinton supporters have received added attention because they are state lawmakers: Delegate Jennifer McClellan, of Richmond, a Lionel Spruill Sr., of Chesapeake.

Asked today whether it is an awkward spot to be in, Spruill simply nodded in agreement, then said he will make a statement after the March 4 primaries in Ohio and Texas, which political analysts say will likely be Clinton's last stand.

McClellan yesterday essentially said the same thing after I caught up with her after the House adjourned.

Superdelegates are state and local party activists (some of whom, some Democrats admit, they could not pick out of a crowd) along with members of Congress and elected Democratic official. Virginia has 18.

Unlike pledged delegates awarded through primaries and caucuses, the superdelegates can vote for any candidate, regardless of whom they endorse during the campaign.

Should neither Clinton nor Obama win the 2,025 pledges delegates needed to secure the party's nominating, the 796 superdelegates will act as tie-breakers.

The Obama camp yesterday said they now have a 159 pledged delegate edge over Clinton after wins in Wisconsin and Hawaii. When superdelegates are added in, Obama has a 85-delegate edge of 1,336 to 1,251.

EarIier this month, I wrote a story about how superdelegates could be force to balance their personal choice against the way their local district, state and national Democrats voted.

The wheels are wobbling on Sen. Charles J. Colgan's version of the straight-talk express as he waffles on a gas-tax increase that he opposed last year on the campaign trail.

Facing some stiff competition before the general election, the Prince William County Democrat in October posted a "Colgan Straight Talk," memo on his campaign Web site where he said "I do not support any increase in the gas tax."

But last week, Mr. Colgan, along with 12 of his Senate Finance committee colleagues, voted in favor of a bill that would increase the gas tax 5 cents over the next five years.

Then he joined his 20 Democratic colleagues and four Republicans in the Senate to pass the proposal, which was sponsored by Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw, Fairfax Democrat.

"Oh well, so much for that pesky gas tax promise," state Sen. Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, Fairfax County Republican, said in a newsletter to constituents -- shining a light on Mr. Colgan's flip-flop.

Last night, state Delegate Rob Bell, the Albemarle Republican considering a run for attorney general next year, returned a recent call I made about money he has dropped into to the state's so-called "Tax Me More Fund."

The program provides generous taxpayers with a way to contribute more of their money into the state's coffers and allows lawmakers to highlight what they see as the hypocritical nature of higher-tax advocates.

Here is the link to the story I wrote last week about the fund and here is the response Bell left on my voicemail:

"I try every year to return money I didn't use out of my office account each year and this was a conventient way to do it. I didn't realize I would be in such as small category," he said with a chuckle.

I guess it make sense. Since 2002, the somewhat obscure fund has collected a total of $10,217.04.

As I point out in the story, the funds high point came in 2003 after Virginians forked over $6,602. The low point was in 2006, when the state received a measly $19.36.

I just received this press release from the Democratic Party of Virginia, highlighting some more of the election-night frustration some voters might have faced in Tuesday's presidential primary:

"The Democratic Party of Virginia today (Friday, February 15, 2008) announced that it is investigating voting problems in Chesterfield during Tuesday's presidential primaries. Reports from polling places indicated serious issues including long lines, unreasonable delays that caused voters to leave, and some precincts actually ran out of ballots.

"What happened in Chesterfield is a travesty for the most fundamental right in a democracy," said DPVA General Counsel Jay Myerson. "The DPVA has been in the vanguard, guaranteeing each eligible Virginian's right to vote and to have his or her vote counted. Since 2001, the DPVA has taken steps to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. We have made a promise to Virginia voters: Your Right. We Guarantee It. We intend to deliver on that guarantee."

Attorneys for the DPVA are currently investigating this situation, interviewing witnesses and are determined to protect this most fundamental of rights for all Virginians."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

A slew of nightmarish Election-night driving stories have emerged since the polls closed last night in Virginia, where Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, routed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, of New York, in the Democratic primary and Arizona Sen. John McCain defeated former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in the Republican contest.

Voter turnout was high, despite winds and freezing rain that made driving harder later in the day.

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, for example, was stuck for more than seven hours on the icy Route 1 off-ramp on Route 95, causing him to miss a speaking gig with former House Majority Leader Dick Armey at American University in The District and then Arizona’s Sen. John McCain's victory rally last night in Alexandria.

"Him and about 40 other cars were stuck there from about 3:30 p.m until almost 11 p.m. when VDOT finally showed up to rescue them and salt the off-ramp," said Ana M. Gamonal, spokesperson for Gilmore's U.S. 2008 Senate campaign. "This new off ramp is almost 2 miles long and goes up and loops around, and with the ice storm, cars could not make there way up and were skidding backwards — forcing everyone to wait it out."

While Gilmore was able to vote, others were not, thanks to Mother Nature.

Minutes before the polls closed at 7 p.m. last night, I asked Gov. Time Kaine about reports of major problems in the so-called "Mixing Bowl" in Springfield.

He said, "I have just heard the classic end-of-day, slow traffic situation may be a little exacerbated by the weather. It is creating some challenges, but that it kind of a norm on these election nights toward the end."

Gordon Hickey, the governor's spokesperson, just responded to an e-mail I sent him today, saying:

"There is no statutory authority that would have allowed the Governor or the State Board of Elections to extend the hours of last night's election," he said. "The statute is 24.2-603, and it establishes that the polls shall be open at 6 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. The only exception is that voters in line at 7 p.m. are to be allowed to vote."

Asked whether Virginia could have followed Maryland's lead, Mr. Hickey said "a judge could probably do it, but it is unknown territory."

We'd like to hear some of your horror stories from last night, including whether the storm stopped you from making it to the polls.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times

Heading into the Virginia's Democratic primary, it was unclear among reporters, party insiders and political strategists what would happen in Northern Virginia.

Now it seems like it was not a question mark at all — Sen. Barack Obama routed Sen. Hillary Clinton throughout the region. An early hint came after MSNBC called the Virginia primary for Obama minutes after the polls closed.

A glimpse of the unofficial results from the Virginia State Board of Elections tells the rest of the story. With nearly every precinct counted, Obama won nearly 77,000 more votes in NOVA than Clinton.

Here are some of those results:

In Virginia's liberal/ progressive blogosphere, this seems like it will go down as a big win for Lowell Field, who endorsed Obama over at raisingkaine.com, and a loss for Ben Tribbet, who endorsed Clinton at notlarrysabato.com.

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia reporter, The Washington Times

Gov. Tim Kaine turned some heads a year ago after he endorsed for president Sen. Barack Obama, Illinois Democrat, within eyeshot of the former Confederate Capitol.

"I am very happy to say it is a very simple decision for me in terms of what I think is important in my assessment of where the nation is to endorse Sen. Barack Obama as our nation's next president," Mr. Kaine said the time, standing outside the governor's mansion in Capitol Square.

(He reminded some folks of his reasoning over the weekend at the Democratic Party of Virginia's annual Jefferson Jackson dinner, which drew a massive Obama crowd.)

At the endorsement I recall Kaine, who like Obama has family ties to Kansas and graduated from Harvard, saying his "gut" told him it was the right thing to do. He soon became Obama's national co-chair, campaigning with him before the Iowa Caucus and also traveled to Georgia.

Tonight, he showed his gut got it right and he has a good grip on the Virginia electorate.

Minutes after polls closed, MSNBC called the race for Obama. Roughly two minutes later the governor explained to Chris Matthews why he thought things went Obama's way, which was similar to what he told reporters a year ago and about 15 minutes before his spot on MSNBC.

"My sense is when I endorsed Sen. Obama a year ago is that he would be very appealing to Virginia voters," he said. "Virginians are a pretty independent bunch. We don't have party registration here, so even those who self declare Democrat or Republican will often vote in another primary or pull another level in the general election."

He repeated, "My sense is the Virginia electorate is a very independent electorate, and I believed Obama he would be very strong among independents because he has strong views, but he tends not to demonize the opposition."

"He is always working in the state legislature and Congress now to find others on the other side of the aisle to work with," Kaine said. "I think that could well be the reason for a solid performance tonight."

When I asked him what he would do following the election, Kaine said he may travel before the March 4 states and continue to work with the campaign on economic and business related issues.

How about the growing controversy over whether superdelegates should follow the popular vote that comes out of the primaries instead of casting a vote based om their personal choice?

Kaine said, "My gut is telling me if the momentum starts to break for one of the candidates -- it really has seemed to be breaking strong for the Senator now, but don't take that for granted -- I think the momentum starts to move the superdelegates to the winner's direction. And I would be very surprised if it ended up different than that."

It is hard to argue with the governor's gut. It was right tonight.

Virginia is busy.

First is the presidential primary, in which polls suggest Democrat Sen. Barack Obama, Illinois, and Republican Sen. John McCain, Arizona, will emerge victorious.

Second, Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, has scheduled a 2 p.m. press conference to give details about the size of the state's budget shortfall, which could be more than $1 billion, and propose cuts to make up the difference.

The shortfall could hurt Kaine's signature initiatives, particularly to expand pre-school for at-risk 4-year-olds.

Finally, William & Mary College President Gene s. Nichol resigned today following criticism about removing a cross from a school chapel, then allowing the Sex Workers' Art Show on campus.

The event included male and female strippers, escorts and prostitutes in various states of undress expressing their feelings on subjects from their jobs to global politics. Here in Richmond, conservative Republicans jumped on the issue on the House floor, ripping Nichol on several occasions.

The cross was eventually returned to the chapel and locked in a case.

In his resignation letter Nichol returned the criticism:

"As the result of these decisions, the last 16 months have been challenging ones for me and my family. A committed, relentless, frequently untruthful and vicious campaign -- on the Internet and in the press -- has been waged against me, my wife and my daughters. It has been joined, occasionally, by members of the Virginia House of Delegates -- including last week’s steps by the Privileges and Elections Committee to effectively threaten (college) Board of (Visitors) appointees if I were not fired over decisions concerning the Wren Cross and the Sex Workers' Art Show. That campaign has now been rendered successful. And those same voices will no doubt claim victory today."

Northern Virginia could be the wild card in the state's presidential primary election tomorrow.

"Northern Virginia vote is going to be so pivotal," Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, a Democrat, told me during an interview in his office Friday. "It's unpredictable. It's big and nobody can put a handle on what anybody is going to do with that Northern Virginia vote. ... You can't tell."

At the Democratic Party of Virginia's Annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Richmond on Saturday, I chatted about this very subject with Steve Jarding, the Democratic strategist who worked on former Gov. Mark R. Warner's 2001 campaign and Sen. Jim Webb's campaign in 2006.

He talked about how the region changed significantly between Warner's 2001 campaign and Webb's 2006 bid thanks to an influx of about 400,000 people and has continued to evolve since.

While the area has been reliably Democratic in recent elections, he agreed it is nearly impossible to predict how many Northern Virginians will turn out for Clinton or Obama.

Heading into the primary tomorrow, it will be interesting to see the answers to the following questions:

Will Hispanics, older voters, women, and blue-collar white workers continue to support Clinton? Will blacks, independents, college graduates and young people continue to support Obama?

Most importantly -- Who will turn out?

Delegate David Englin, Arlington Democrat, is lending his house to the Obama campaign as a staging area for volunteer canvasses and get-out-the vote operations for tomorrow's presidential primary.

Mr. Enlgin tells supporters: "Virginians have an opportunity to be part of history by making Sen. Barack Obama the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. ... While Senator Obama greeted thousands of supporters at T.C. Williams High School yesterday, Team Englin alumnus Marc Abanto worked with the Obama campaign to run volunteer canvasses from Campaign Central. Join us today and tomorrow to do your part"

He told supporters to today come to Campaign Central (1505 Wayne St, Alexandria) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. "for everything you need to knock on doors and get out the vote."

"Tuesday — vote for Barack Obama, then give as much time as you can to getting others to do the same."

"Fueled by hope, grassroots volunteers all across America have been empowered to make change by Barack Obama's vision and leadership," Mr. Englin told supporters. "Become part of our movement, and help Barack move us toward a future where the reality of America is equal to our highest ideals."

"Yes we can!"

A new poll of Virginia voters has Illinois Sen. Barack Obama with a double-digit lead over New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, in the Virginia Democrat primary, just four days from

The poll comes via the Southern Political Report:

"InsiderAdvantage, the only national firm to accurately indicate the surge of Mike Huckabee in Southern states on "Super Tuesday," polled Virginia Democrats for the Southern Political Report.

The poll of 501 likely voters Tuesday was conducted February 7 and was weighted for age, race, gender, and political affiliation. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4%.

The results:
Obama: 52%
Clinton: 37%
Other: 1%
Undecided: 10%

Obama led among black voters, while Clinton and Obama were evenly splitting the white vote.

Obama and Clinton will be featured speakers tomorrow night at the Virginia Democratic party's annual Jefferson Jackson di

I bumped into Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly today inside the Capitol Building.

He said his upcoming race against Leslie Bryne in a lot of ways boils down to her rhetoric versus his reality.

"I think that in this primary Democratic voters will have a clear choice between somebody with extensive experience in local government and making local government work, who has delivered results as opposed to rhetorical accomplishments," he said.

The early jab in race for the 11th congressional seat comes after Republican Tom Davis, who won the seat in 1994, last month announced he would be taking a "sabbatical" from politics.

Connolly has won his last five elections. Last year, he won re-election in a landslide with more than a 45,000 vote margin against Gary Baise, a Republican.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly said today he will run against Leslie L. Byrne in the Democrat race to replace Rep. Tom Davis, who will not seek re-election.

Since forming an exploratory committee three weeks ago, Connolly raised more than $160,000, he said.

"I've been absolutely overwhelmed by the response," he said. "People from across the district have urged me to take up this fight and I know I'm ready for it."

Davis announced Jan. 30 he would not seek re-election in the 11th district, a decision that was widely viewed as a victory for Democrats, in large part because of the solid name recognition Connolly and Bryne have in the region. Byrne lost her 2005 bid for lieutenant governor to Bill Bolling, a Republican, by about 23,000 votes.

IConnolly said the country must undo the damage of the Bush years and "bring a results-oriented approach to Congress as reasons for running."

"For me, government is about getting results," he said. "That's the attitude I take to my job as Chairman and that's the attitude I'll take to Congress."

Connolly will formally announce his campaign at an event with community leaders next week.

Bryne, whom Davis ousted in 1994, will be at the annual Jefferson Jackson dinner this weekend, jockeying for support.

On the Republican side, businessman Keith Fimian, 51, announced shortly after Davis said he would not seek re-election his intention of running.

Anticipating Davis’s retirement, Fimian raised more than $711,000 and has $662,000 in his campaign account.

“I told Tom if he ran I would be first in line to campaign for his re-election, but if he chose not to run I would take the plunge,” Fimian said last month.

The Connolly campaign provided this brief resume in their news release:

Connolly was first to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995. In 2003, he was elected chairman of the board. Last year, he won re-election as chairman, garnering 60 percent of the vote and winning 218 of 225 precincts.

Prior to serving in elected office, Connolly spent 10 years with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he managed committee oversight of international economic issues, international narcotics control and United Nations and Middle East policies. He received a bachelor's in literature from Maryknoll College and an master's in public administration from Harvard University in 1979.

Folks, we got a real race coming to Virginia.

The vibe started around the Capitol weeks ago and gained momentum this morning when lawmakers arose to find no clear winners emerged from Super Tuesday.

In today's story, national reporter S.A. Miller and I look forward to the increasing importance of the Potomac Primary on Tuesday.

The indication today is the delegate count is about even between Democrat candidates New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

"There is no question that Virginia is important in what is going on and that there should be a lot of campaigning here," C. Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Democratic party of Virginia told me this morning. "In terms of the national primary process, in my lifetime I think this will be the first time Virginia will play a role in the process."

To put that in perspective, Cranwell was born in 1942.

Highlighting importance of Virginia's 101 delegates up for grabs Tuesday, I have had a noticeable influx of e-mails rolling in from the Clinton camp in recent days.

This afternoon, Mrs. Clinton will be holding a press conference at her national headquarters in Arlington. Earlier this week the campaign announced more than 100 elected officials and local leaders are behind mobilizing the campaign's grassroots efforts.

On the Obama side, his camp today unveiled its Women for Obama Virginia leadership team during a conference call this morning headlined by First Lady Anne Holton.

Joining Holton for the call will be Megan Beyer, Hampton City Treasurer Molly Ward and Laverne Chatman, president of the Northern Virginia Urban League.

Obama continues to enjoy the support of Gov. Tim Kaine, Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, U.S. Reps. Rick Boucher in the 9th congressional district, and Bobby Scott, in the 3rd congressional district.

In a conversation with me yesterday, Kaine repeated his belief that Obama shares the moderate message that fueled former Gov. Mark Warner's 2001 win, his 2005 win and Sen. Jim Webb's come-from-behind win last year.

"I know the independent voters and moderate Republicans very well and many of them seem very excited about Obama's candidacy," Kaine said. "There is no one else running as a Democrat who created that level of excitement."

It may also may be worth noting that Warner, a U.S. Senate candidate, and Webb have yet to endorsed a candidate. Both their camps this morning repeated that they have no plans to publicly support anyone before Tuesday.

Ten Democrat state senators today jumped on Illinois Sen. Barrack Obama's presidential bandwagon.

"Washington is in desperate need of change -- not just its party, but its politics," Sen. L. Louis Lucas, Portsmouth Democrat and former Clinton supporter, said at a morning press conference. "Barack Obama can deliver change Virginians can believe in."

Last week, 17 House Democrats endorsed Obama, joining Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, who about a year ago endorsed his fellow Harvard Law school grad within eyeshot of the old Confederate Capitol.

Obama and Sen. John McCain have garnered strong support in Virginia, while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney enjoys the support of Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, and Morton Blackwell, Republican National Committee member and president of the conservative Leadership Institute.

In nearly every conversation I have with lawmakers and political insiders, Republicans would love to see Clinton atop the ticket, instead of Obama.

Democrats echoed that sentiment today.

"Virginia can be a battleground state with Barack Obama at the top of the ticket," said Sen. Donald McEachin, Richmond Democrat. "He's mobilizing new voters and attracting independents and Republicans. That's what it takes for a Democrat to win in Virginia in November."

Three Senators followed the lead of House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong swinging their support from former Sen. John Edwards to Obama.

"We have to move beyond partisan game-playing if we're going to see progress on the difficult challenges that face everyday Virginians -- skyrocketing healthcare costs, public schools in desperate need of reform and an economy that’s out of balance, favoring the wealthy over average families," Sen. Henry Marsh, Richmond Democrat, said. "Obama can turn the page on the politics of the past."

Democrat state senators endorsing Obama:
Janet Howell, Reston
Edward Houck, Spotsylvania
John Edwards, Roanoke.
L. Louise Lucas, Portsmouth
Mark Herring, Leesburg
Mamie Locke, Hampton
Ralph Northam, Norfolk
Toddy Puller, Mount Vernon

A solid number of Virginia's political bigwigs are pulling for the New England Patriots to complete their perfect season by taking out the New York Giants in the Super Bowl this Sunday.

While they are not going as far as this guy with a Pats' helmet tattooed to his head, for a Maine native, this bipartisanship is wicked awesome.

"My heart's with the Giants, but my head's with the Patriots," said Congressman Tom Davis, 11th District Republican. "You can't argue with results."

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, whose wife once was a Washington Redskins cheerleader, also shared on the radio today that he is pulling for the Pats.

"Giants are playing well right now, but the Patriots, with two weeks to prepare, Tom Brady at QB, and history on the line, will win," said Mr. McDonnell, a Republican.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran, whose father played for the Boston Redskins, is from the Boston area. So he naturally is going with Brady, Moss and Bruschi.

"Since the Redskins aren't in, he is supporting the Pats," said Jesse Furgeson, Mr. Moran's spokesman.

Through his spokesman, former Gov. James S. Gilmore III, a Republican who is running this year for the U.S. Senate, got biblical about the big game Sunday.

"Our blog is called The Virginia Patriot and we hope, like David, to take down a mythical giant -- so Patriots! " said Ana M. Gamonal, his communications director.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, House Speaker William Howell, both Republicans, and Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, were a bit of a buzzkill.

Mr. Bolling offered this blunt — and extremely disappointing — assessment.

"To be honest, I don't like either one of them," he said. " But I'm a Redskins fan through and through, and I guess that means I have to pull for the Giants since they're from the NFC East. I also generally like to go with the underdog."

Since the Redskins aren't an option this year, the speaker is rooting for the Giants to win the Super Bowl "because an NFC team victory foretells an up year for the stock market," said G. Paul Nardo, Mr. Howell's spokesman. "From the looks of the deteriorating state budget situation, we need all the help we can get."

And Mr. Kaine, through his spokesman, Gordon Hickey, delivered this bombshell.

"He's pulling for the Giants, just because they're the underdog," he said.

Mur.

If that news gets you down, this highlight reel, featuring Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" — a staple tune at Foxboro Stadium — will lift your spirits.

SATURDAY UPDATE: SOME MORE BAD NEWS: Former Sen. and Gov. George Allen, a Republican, passed this along:

"I picked the Giants because it was a FUMBLE by Brady not a 'tuck' when the refs swindled the Raiders in the 2001 season playoff game," he said. "Presently, I think its possible that the Giants Defensive Line can put pressure on Brady and can stop the run. Eli Manning and Plaxico Burruss are playing very well and Bradshaw may be able to run on New England."

— Seth McLaughlin, Virginia politics reporter, The Washington Times