Neil Simon, Media General News Service
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ALEXANDRIA — Two days before Virginia's primary, Barack Obama took aim at Republican front-runner John McCain and told Democrats it is time to move beyond the politics of the Clintons.
"The last thing we need is the same old cast of characters doing the same old things," the Illinois senator told a packed gymnasium at T.C. Williams High School.
"We want to be a party of the future, the party of tomorrow."
Obama was to hold another rally at the Virginia Beach convention center last night.
In Alexandria, Obama did not name New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, his rival for the Democratic nomination, until a question-and-answer session after his speech.
"It's hard for Senator Clinton to break out of the politics of the last 15 years," he said.
That resonated with Obama supporter Mimi Raleigh.
"We've had Clintons. We've had Bushes. It's time for someone else," said Raleigh, 27, of Lorton in Fairfax County.
Fresh off Saturday wins in three states and a Mason-Dixon poll showing Obama leading Clinton 53 percent to 37 percent in Virginia, Obama picked up new momentum in Northern Virginia with the endorsement of Rep. James P. Moran, D-8th.
"This is Obama country," Moran declared to the crowd.
Tomorrow, Obama and Clinton face off in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
With the District's majority-black population and polls showing Obama with a significant lead in Maryland, Obama's campaign could sweep the so-called Potomac primary tomorrow.
"If we win Tuesday, there will be unstoppable momentum," said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a national co-chairman of Obama's campaign.
Contrasting himself with Clinton, Obama said his tone does not "demonize" people, and because of that "we are attracting independents and disillusioned Republicans."
"Senator Clinton starts off with 46 percent of the country against her," he said. "That's a hard place to start from. Even if you win, you don't have a working majority for change."
"We are going to have a robust debate," Obama said. Then he paused, and added: "With John McCain."
McCain "has saddled up with George Bush," said Obama, referring to McCain's recent support for the Bush tax cuts and his backing of the troop surge in Iraq.
"If John McCain is president, [the war] won't be over. It'll cost us more," Obama said.
Obama also borrowed a McCain line in saying Americans want less spin and more "straight talk." McCain has called his campaign bus the Straight Talk Express.
"I can get independents and Republicans and offset any advantage he may have," Obama said.
With dozens of campaign volunteers on hand, the grass-roots groups were clear among the more than 3,000 supporters. Latinos and veterans waved signs all over the packed gym.
Charlene Ragins, 40, an Air Force veteran from Lorton, sat in the front row with her husband and two kids.
"I like what I hear. I like the sound of hope, the sound of bringing people together instead of this big divide of gender and race," she said.
Contact Neil H. Simon at (202) 662-7669 or nsimon@mediageneral.com
"The last thing we need is the same old cast of characters doing the same old things," the Illinois senator told a packed gymnasium at T.C. Williams High School.
"We want to be a party of the future, the party of tomorrow."
Obama was to hold another rally at the Virginia Beach convention center last night.
In Alexandria, Obama did not name New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, his rival for the Democratic nomination, until a question-and-answer session after his speech.
"It's hard for Senator Clinton to break out of the politics of the last 15 years," he said.
That resonated with Obama supporter Mimi Raleigh.
"We've had Clintons. We've had Bushes. It's time for someone else," said Raleigh, 27, of Lorton in Fairfax County.
Fresh off Saturday wins in three states and a Mason-Dixon poll showing Obama leading Clinton 53 percent to 37 percent in Virginia, Obama picked up new momentum in Northern Virginia with the endorsement of Rep. James P. Moran, D-8th.
"This is Obama country," Moran declared to the crowd.
Tomorrow, Obama and Clinton face off in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
With the District's majority-black population and polls showing Obama with a significant lead in Maryland, Obama's campaign could sweep the so-called Potomac primary tomorrow.
"If we win Tuesday, there will be unstoppable momentum," said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a national co-chairman of Obama's campaign.
Contrasting himself with Clinton, Obama said his tone does not "demonize" people, and because of that "we are attracting independents and disillusioned Republicans."
"Senator Clinton starts off with 46 percent of the country against her," he said. "That's a hard place to start from. Even if you win, you don't have a working majority for change."
"We are going to have a robust debate," Obama said. Then he paused, and added: "With John McCain."
McCain "has saddled up with George Bush," said Obama, referring to McCain's recent support for the Bush tax cuts and his backing of the troop surge in Iraq.
"If John McCain is president, [the war] won't be over. It'll cost us more," Obama said.
Obama also borrowed a McCain line in saying Americans want less spin and more "straight talk." McCain has called his campaign bus the Straight Talk Express.
"I can get independents and Republicans and offset any advantage he may have," Obama said.
With dozens of campaign volunteers on hand, the grass-roots groups were clear among the more than 3,000 supporters. Latinos and veterans waved signs all over the packed gym.
Charlene Ragins, 40, an Air Force veteran from Lorton, sat in the front row with her husband and two kids.
"I like what I hear. I like the sound of hope, the sound of bringing people together instead of this big divide of gender and race," she said.
Contact Neil H. Simon at (202) 662-7669 or nsimon@mediageneral.com