After becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama made his first general election appearance in Southwest Virginia on Thursday June 5, 2008. Senator Obama appeared at a town hall meeting at Virginia High in Bristol, Virginia before approximately 2,500 supporters. Senator Obama sent a clear message that Southwest Virginia and the entire state are in play for the general election this fall.

Senator Obama said that Southwest Virginia is an example of so much that is good about this country. He also said that there are good, hard working, decent, generous people in beautiful towns all around this region but Washington hasn’t been paying attention and hasn’t been listening. During his remarks, Senator Obama emphasized his plans to provide comprehensive healthcare to all Americans.

The Obama campaign invited the Chairman of the Buchanan County Democratic Committee, Vern Presley, to drive Senator Obama’s staff to and from Tri-Cities Airport for the town hall meeting. Presley spent most of the day with Senator Obama and his staff during the Southwest Virginia visit. Senator Obama is clearly interested in our region and concerns. In fact, no major political party candidate has visited Southwest Virginia in almost fifty years. If he wasn’t your first choice to change the mess we have in Washington, Senator Obama certainly deserves the full support of our party since he sent a clear message with his visit that we actually matter.