Decision Virginia

As expected, I have gotten some comments from Barack Obama supporters who, just like the Obama campaign, say that the comments from his interview with the San Francisco Chronicle have been taken out of context.

I did get one very thoughtful email from a supporter who gave a lengthy explanation on Obama’s stance and was very critical of Senator McCain’s stance on the issue. He pointed me to a document produced by the United Mine Workers of America, who have endorsed Senator Obama, that discusses the McCain record on coal.

It is also worth noting, (a point I did raise on the air- not in my blog post) that later on in the interview, Obama did call the elimination of coal plants an “illusion”.

It is not for me to judge where Obama stands on the coal issue, but my point is more from an analytical perspective. Can this late entry into race create enough doubt in coal rich counties to erase the small margin of victory that Obama appears headed to?

I actually just finished an interview with Governor Bill Richardson who said that he believes this issue is just a “desperate” move by Republicans in the waning moments of the campaign.

We shall see.

During our election special that is on today at 4:30, we also will be up with a liveblog, which you can contribute you to during the show. 

The liveblog is actually already up on our homepage and at www.decisionvirginia.com. Feel free to check it out and interact with other voters and give your comments. We will read some of those comments on the air. 

In addition to the comments on the election in general, you can also submit your questions for our political anaylst Dan Palazzolo and for a representative from the State Board of elections. 

The liveblog is up now. Take part and then tune it at 4:30.

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

It is hard to believe that an election that has gone on for what seems like forever is now down to only a few hours. Remember polls open in Virginia at 6am and if you need to find your polling place, the State Board of Elections has a user friendly website that will tell you right where to go. 

As I talked about last night during our late newscast, the race has now shifted to a ground game. It is all about indentifying voters and getting them out to the polls. Virginia has never, ever seen a ground operation like this, which is why everyone is anticipating long lines at polling places. Today both Republicans and Democrats will hold rallies in support of their tickets. The goal of these rallies isn’t to convince undecided voters, it is to get confirmed supporters out to the polls. 

Here is what is happening in Richmond today:

Democrats-
Rally with Senate Candidate Mark Warner
Monday, November 3rd at 5:00 PM
VCU Student Commons Theater
Monroe Park Campus

Republicans-
Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson
Former Virginia Governor George Allen
Attorney General Bob McDonnell
Delegate Chris Saxman
Richmond Regional Victory Headquarters
2819 N. Parham Road

While that activity is happening here in Richmond, the candidates themselves are going to be in other parts of the state.
Sen. John McCain will headline a rally in Southwest Virginia. He will fly into the airport in Bristol, TN (which is just over the border) for an appearance at 11:45am.
Meanwhile Sen. Barack Obama, will hold his final campaign rally in Virginia, he will appear at the Prince William County Fairgrounds in Manassas tonight at 9pm.

And of course, don’t forget our Decision 2008 Election Special this afternoon at 4:30. You can watch it on NBC12 or if your haven’t left work yet, you can watch it streamed on your computer at nbc12.com. 

I’ll have updates all day so check back often!

In case you haven’t heard, we will have a special broadcast on Monday focused on Tuesday’s election.

I will be hosting the special that will feature an in depth look at the vote on tuesday and will include portions of both of my one on one interviews with both candidates for president.

We also will have experts to break down the election itself and to help you make sure you get to the right place to cast your ballot.

The show airs at 4:30pm on Monday and will also be streamed live on our website www.nbc12.com.

(So if you are still at work, flip it on your computer. I promise not to tell your boss.)