Given the state of the world in November 2008, it would be easy to be depressed. It’s only natural to look around at the state of our economy,  the terror attacks happening around the glob, our dwindling supply of oil, failing companies, and rising unemployment and fear for the future. In short, this Thanksgiving it would be expected to be more worried than thankful.

Obama seems to be going to the Clinton well more than he indicated he would and more than most expected.

Kaine has said repeatedly and forcefully that he will not be joining the Obama Administration before his time as governor is up. His current term ends in January 2010.

Is Virginia a blue state? A quick look at recent trends would certainly make one think so.

There should be no choice other than to vote.

I have never covered a presidential campaign like this one. The amount of attention Virginia is getting is jaw-dropping.

I would hate to be a pollster this election season. There are just too many variables to consider.

The life of a reporter assigned to following the presidential candidates around the country sounds glamorous. You’d think they’d be in the middle of it all, inside all the exciting rallies, witnessing history.

The annual Labor Day Parade in Buena Vista is a rare time when our politicians gather to work the crowd and sell their campaign messages all at the same time.

What will Kaine say tonight at the DNC? Will he go to DC if Obama wins? Just two of the questions I put to Kaine during our satellite interview.

In our media age, often time it’s the pictures that matter the most. We got a clear sense of that Monday and Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention. Sure, there have been some good and some great speeches at the convention.

if you’re tuning in tonight ready to hear Mark Warner blast John McCain or tear apart the Bush record, you may leave disappointed.

It feels like I’ve been gone for months, when in reality it was only two weeks.

There has been CONSIDERABLE chatter lately that Virginia Governor Tim Kaine will be Barack Obama’s choice for vice president.

If you need more proof that Virginia’s junior Senator is a rock star by Washington, DC standards, here you go. On Monday he’ll be on the Colbert Report on Comedy Central and he’ll be a guest on Charlie Rose’s show on PBS.

Earlier this week, I talked about Governor Tim Kaine’s chances of becoming Barack Obama’s running mate

That leaves Virginia with one last option: Gov. Tim Kaine. So, how likely is it that Obama will pick him? I would bet slim.

And True to form the Naturalization Ceremony for 2008 was predictable, but in a different way.

The fall campaign has already begun, and it’s only June. I guess it’s a sign of the times, as the presidential primaries started earlier this year than ever before. In fact the campaigns actually started in 2007!

It’s been a hard day. The passing of Tim Russert has hit me hard like a lot of people, maybe even you. It’s kind of strange, given that we barely knew him personally.

It just seems to me that everyone is out to get my grass! I am a somewhat obsessive gardener when it comes to my lawn. I dream of a lush, bright green turf in my front and backyard.

On Friday, I wrote a story on what to look for at the Virginia Republican Convention Saturday. Let’s see what happened.

Saturday, the Virginia Republican Party will come together in Richmond to pick its candidate to face off against Mark Warner in one of the top Senate races of the 2008 cycle. The race pits former Gov. Jim Gilmore against Del. Bob Marshall.

I think this project is another example of one of Roanoke’s greatest strengths. Instead of tearing down our old buildings, Roanoke’s leaders have figured out ways to save them and at times repurpose them for current needs.

Without debate or question, this would have to have been one of the prettiest Memorial Day weekends on record. It wasn’t too hot, or wet, or windy, or even cold. It was just perfect.

My friends say I’m cheap. I prefer to say I’m conservative or thrifty. Either way, I don’t like to waste money.

The countdown on Nelson Harris’ one term in the mayor’s office is on. Harris has three more scheduled council meetings. How will he handle them?

If Obama is going to win the White House, he will need a new mix of states and all indicators point to Virginia topping that list. Get ready for a fun election season!

It may be that the stars have aligned for a Warner victory in 2008. But to get there, Warner will have to overcome the enthusiasm gap. That could be his largest opponent.

We are four days out from Tuesday’s Roanoke City Council elections. What will happen?