Ryan Nobles - bio | email

There is no doubt that there is a lot riding on tonight’s Vice Presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. After a pretty even Presidential debate, it seems that this could be a make or break night for the McCain-Palin ticket. Palin’s sensational entrance on to the national scene has been muted after a few less than impressive interviews. If she stumbles tonight in front of what is expected to be a large television audience, the McCain camp may not be able to recover. 

We will once again, give you an instant idea of how Central Virginians are reacting to the Palin-Biden tilt. We will have our student reporters from Manchester High School liveblogging from a local Biden watching party and a local Palin watching party. I will be back at the NBC12 studios moderating the conversation, which you are welcome to take part in. Our coverage will begin right before the debate starts at 8:55pm. 

And once again, in the wake of another major campaign moment, the Obama-Biden team has planned yet another trip to Virginia. Barack Obama will visit Newport News on Saturday. It will be interesting to see how frequent these visits will be after the voter registration closes on October 6th. The Democrats are working hard to register new voters, because they believe the majority of new voters are their voters. 

It is also worth pointing out, that since claiming the nomination, the Obama team has visited Virginia many times, but have only been to Richmond twice. One visit by the candidate himself and one by his wife, Michelle. Could that be one of the reasons that he has not made the same kind of strides in the Richmond area that he has in other parts of the state?

That being said, Senator McCain has only been to Central Virginia once and that was only for a private fundraiser.

 Governor Tim Kaine, who has been relatively quiet in the presidential race, set off a verbal bomb today, that has already moved in some national outlets. He said that John McCain “phoned in” his VP choice of Sarah Palin. He made the remarks on his weekly WTOP radio show.

Here is what he said via the AP:

(Kaine) said McCain met Palin once in a large crowd, interviewed her by phone, then offered her the vice presidential slot on the Republican ticket.

He said McCain knew so little about her that he had to crib her biography off her resume when he introduced her.

In Kaine’s words, “Most people would take hiring someone for a summer job more seriously.”

Tough words for a guy, who was passed over for the same job on the democratic side and certainly seems to be making the argument that Barack Obama knew him far better than McCain knew Palin.. and he still didn’t get picked.

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

The McCain camp has put out a dispatch featuring Virginians singing the praises of the Sarah Palin pick.  One name not on the list is Rep. Eric Cantor. I’ve reached out to his office to see if he has any opinion. His staff told the Times-Dispatch today that he is spending the day with constituents.

I also reached out to the McCain folks today to see if and when there will be a visit in the near future from either member of the newly formed ticket. All they would tell me is that they “can’t confirm anything right now.”

After the jump you can read the comments from the McCain “Virginia Leadership Team”

U.S. Representative Thelma Drake, Virginia Campaign Honorary Statewide Co-Chair

“Alaska Governor Sarah Palin represents an exciting and historic pick that changes the dynamic of this presidential race. During her tenure as Alaska’s top executive, Palin has established a reputation as a reformer who achieves results. A mother of five, including one son who will be deployed to Iraq in September, Governor Palin is well-respected as a leading fiscal conservative. American women everywhere will respond well to her inspiring story and her willingness to shake up the status quo. The selection of Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running-mate underscores the point that this fall Republicans will run as the true party of reform.”

Christy Swanson, Democrat from Richmond, Citizen for McCain Vice Chairman

“Senator McCain has made an excellent choice for Vice President. Once again, we are seeing why John McCain is a candidate who speaks to voters like me who care more about strong leadership than party labels. As a small business owner, her fiscal conservatism and her strong record on energy security are critical to me. As a woman, I am proud to support her. Most importantly, she is a Washington outsider, a maverick, who will put reform and results first for working families like mine. She has spent her time in office shaking up government in Alaska. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington. I will actively campaign for John McCain and Sarah Palin and will proudly vote for them in November.”

Lori Ann Miller, Woman for McCain from Alexandria, Young Republican Federation of Virginia Chairman

“Sarah Palin is a strong choice that represents a fresh breath of air for those of us looking for representation in this election and who can make a difference in Washington. I am a mother-to-be and I admire what Sarah Palin has been able to achieve as a local elected official, Governor of Alaska as well as being a mother to five children. No one understands more than Sarah Palin the effect that rising prices of oil have on families like mine. She understands that we need energy security to be energy independent and lessen the pain at the pump. As a young professional and mother-to-be, I am proud to campaign for John McCain and Sarah Palin.”

Delegate Chris Saxman, Virginia Campaign Co-Chair

“Governor Sarah Palin is an excellent choice for Vice President. Like John McCain, she is a maverick who has a strong record of accomplishment and the reputation to reach out to Republicans and Democrats to achieve real results. By choosing Sarah Palin, John McCain has sent strong message to Washington that a shake up in the status quo is imminent. Both John McCain and Sarah Palin understand the needs of Virginia’s families when it comes to lower taxes, energy independence and national security. John McCain and Sarah Palin do not need any on-the-job training. They are ready to lead from day one.”

Jerry Kilgore, Virginia Campaign Co-Chair

“With his selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, John McCain has demonstrated that this will indeed be a historic election. Governor Palin has a proven record as a reformer who gets results and will feel at home within a McCain administration. As a working mother of five and an experienced executive, Palin has a great story that will connect with working families. Virginians can feel confident that a McCain-Palin ticket will bring to the White House the experience and leadership necessary to address our nation’s most pressing problems.”