Obama Campaigns in Northern Virginia

Thu, July 10, 2008 - 11:50 AM

FAIRFAX, Va. – As a teacher, Cheryl Perry wanted to be able to tell her students she saw history in the making.

So Perry was the first one at the door of Robinson Secondary School this morning to see Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as he campaigns in Northern Virginia.

“I’ll be front row and center,” said Perry, who arrived at 7 a.m. “Barack, here I am!”

Obama’s stop in northern Virginia is targeted toward women like Perry. The event, which is expected to begin at 1:15 p.m., is billed as one where he will talk about improving economic opportunities for women and balancing the demands of work and family.

About 2,000 people are expected to fill the Fairfax school’s field house. Attendees will be able to ask Obama questions. Tickets were distributed Wednesday.

Obama has been courting women voters since he captured the Democratic nomination over Hillary Clinton.

He has also been courting Virginia’s 13 electoral votes. On June 5, Obama kicked off his general election campaign in Bristol and in Prince William County.

Although Virginia has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964, both candidates are investing time and money in the state. Polls show Virginia could be a close contest between Obama and Republican John McCain.

McCain acknowledged in June that he still has "a lot of work to do" to win Virginia.

"I do not take it lightly," he said. "I watched the results of recent elections in this state, so I do have a lot of work to do."

-- Amy Dominello