"New Dominion" | Under the Big Tent.

"The Old Dominion is now the New Dominion, particularly in the suburban and exurban counties north of the Rappahannock River. Barack Obama could not have carried Virginia as it once was. But he is running even with John McCain in a paradoxical state that was home to the Confederacy's capital but also gave the nation its first elected African American governor, Doug Wilder, in 1989." E.J. Dionne takes a look at Obama's prospects in Virginia. I must say, assuming I'm still here and/or around DC by November, it'll be nice to vote in an honest-to-goodness swing state for once in my life.

Also, a programming note: I managed to secure a "new media" press pass for the DNC's "Big Tent" in Denver. (Whether it was due to GitM's longevity, some Dem name-dropping by yours truly, or they just let everyone who signed up through the gates, I know not.) In any case, I bought a (pricey) flight yesterday and will be on the ground and reporting in from the Mile High City during the Democratic National Convention next month. Should be grand. (And if you'll be there too, drop me a line.)