"The Virginia campaigns of presidential rivals John McCain and Barack Obama are talking up getting out the vote.

McCain, the presumed Republican nominee, yesterday announced voter-mobilization bosses for each of the state's 134 counties and cities.

"We are organized and enthusiastic about getting John McCain's positive message to Virginia," Buchanan County leader Bobby Lee May said in a written statement.

Dubbed the "Grassroots Leadership Team," the network of activists is responsible for organizing and turning out the vote on Election Day.

Obama, the all-but-official Democratic nominee, disclosed that he is opening four more field offices, bringing his total to 24.

The offices are in Big Stone Gap, in Southwest Virginia; the Southside city of Emporia, and Centreville and Leesburg, in Northern Virginia.

Last weekend, the openings of Obama offices in Richmond, Blacksburg and Harrisonburg drew 785, 202 and 190 people, respectively, the campaign said.

McCain is planning to open five offices in Virginia. His national headquarters is in Northern Virginia.
Though McCain's Virginia leadership describes Obama's emphasis on local offices as a waste of money, Democrats say it is another sign the state is competitive.

Virginia last voted for a Democrat for president in 1964. But Democratic gains since 2001 are viewed an indication the state is in play this year." (Jeff E. Schapiro, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 24, 2008)