McCain rallies supporters in Va.

SPRINGFIELD, Va., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Republican presidential nominee John McCain hunted for votes Saturday in Northern Virginia, an area that has become increasingly friendly to Democrats.

McCain addressed supporters at a rally in a truck stop parking lot in Springfield, The Washington Post reported. President George W. Bush carried Virginia in 2004, like every Republican in 40 years, but the state now has a Democratic governor and one Democratic senator -- and Democrat Mark Warner, a former governor, is heavily favored to win Tuesday in an election to replace the retiring Republican Sen. John Warner.

"Fairfax County is key to this election. You know that," McCain said. "You know how important it is for us to win here. You know how important it is that we put this country in the right direction. I need your help for the next three days."

McCain targeted an area in the county where Bush picked up a lot of votes in 2004, although Democrat John Kerry carried the county. Two surrogates for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama are hitting Fairfax during the weekend, Caroline Kennedy Saturday and Hillary Clinton Sunday.