OUR VIEW: Culpeper has key voice in U.S. election

Staff Editorial
Published: September 9, 2008

» SUMMARY: Visit from Obama advisor signals added importance of Virginia and Culpeper County in the November presidential election.

Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, it is good to know that this year, as Virginians, our votes will most certainly be noticed and appreciated in the presidential election.

Virginia is a battleground state for both parties and because of that the Culpeper area is getting more attention than usual from the presidential candidates.

Although Culpeper County has long been a Republican stronghold, Democratic nominee Barack Obama isn’t conceding defeat here.

The senator from Illinois had already opened a campaign office in downtown Culpeper before he sent an advisor here last week for a town hall meeting with locals interested in hearing more about the senator’s platform.

About 100 people attended the meeting and heard from Obama’s economic advisor Daniel Supulveda, but Supulveda isn’t the only one making his way to this part of the commonwealth. Obama’s running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, was recently campaigning in Manassas and Republican nominee John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin were set to visit Northern Virginia today. A GOP campaign office also opens in Culpeper today.

This much attention means voters in the area have greater power with their votes than in past presidential elections. Though it is unlikely Obama’s local campaigning will help him win Culpeper County, it’s clear that both parties are working hard for Virginia’s 13 electoral votes. Any ballot cast in Culpeper this year could potentially decide who earns those coveted electoral votes.

As November nears and the candidates continue to pay more attention to us in Culpeper, it is important that we return the favor and pay close attention to these candidates and what they stand for. It’s also important — more important than ever — that Culpeper voters and the rest of Virginia exercise the right to vote and take advantage of their unusual influence.