Dems look to N. Virginia to claim state

WASHINGTON, July 11 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama's campaign is hitting northern Virginia, seen as key to moving the state from red to blue in what would be an upset win for Democrats.

Obama, the U.S. senator from Illinois and likely Democratic presidential nominee, visited the area for the second time in less than six weeks. Coincidentally, the presidential campaign headquarters of likely Republican nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona are in Arlington, Va.

Democratic officials said they're excited about Obama's chances in Virginia, predicting if he captures a big margin in the northern counties, Obama will get enough votes to carry the state and its 13 electoral college votes, The Washington Times reported Friday.

"If we do our jobs here in Fairfax County, we're going to make sure Virginia is carried by Barack Obama" on Nov. 4, said Democrat Gerald E. Connolly when introducing the senator at a local school. Connolly, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman, is running for Congress this fall.

"We have the opportunity to turn Virginia blue for the first time in 40 years," he said.

The last Democrat to win Virginia was President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.