Today I was pleased to join with Governor Tim Kaine and other Barack Obama for President volunteers from across Virginia to announce the completion of the petition drive that has made Senator Obama the first presidential candidate, of either party, to turn in petitions required to qualify for the ballot for Virginia's February 12th Democratic presidential primary.
Through the grassroots efforts of Obama’s Virginia supporters, the Obama campaign submitted 18,900 signatures, nearly double the required signature total under Virginia law and four times the amount generally required by the Democratic National Committee.
As a "Come-Here Virginian" and a Barack Obamasupporter from the beginning, I was especially pleased with Governor Kaine's early endorsement and his serving as a national campaign co-chairman.
My thanks to all those Virginians who took time to sign petitions and to those volunteers and co-ordinators who proved grassroots politics can get the job done.