With the gubernatorial election less than two weeks away, both the Mark L. Earley (R) and Mark R. Warner (D) campaigns are gearing up for the final push to take control of the governor's mansion.
The race has grown much tighter in recent weeks, with Warner's lead dropping from a reported 10-point margin to a three-point margin, which falls within the margin of error, in the most recent poll by Mason-Dixon Political/Media Research Inc. of Columbia, Md.
"In the final two weeks, most of the campaign becomes automated," said Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor.
Both candidates already scheduled airtime for and finished filming all of their TV and radio ads, Sabato said.
Earley spokeswoman Yooree Oh said the campaign sees the momentum favoring Earley, and she cited the recent narrowing of the gap in the polls as evidence.
Warner, who has led throughout most of the campaign, will continue to travel around the state in a last effort to try to get out the vote, said William B. Harvey, Albermarle County Democratic party chairman.
The two campaigns will continue to focus on their main themes, Sabato said. The Democrats will concentrate on the recent problems Republicans faced with the budget impasse in the General Assembly earlier this year, and the Republicans will primarily criticize Warner's high campaign budget, he said.
Earley claimed Warner's budget plan calls for a tax increase, which prompted Warner to finance his own television advertisements criticizing Earley for distorting his views.
"All [Warner] has said is that he is in favor of allowing Northern Virginia voters to vote on referendum for a tax increase" to improve transportation in Northern Virginia, Harvey said.
He added that Earley did support the referendum but changed his stance once he realized not raising taxes was his platform.
Earley's big hope remains that President Bush will visit Virginia in support of Earley. If Bush visits, he would most likely visit areas in southern Virginia, such as Richmond, Sabato said. Earley needs a visit from Bush to help his chances in the election, he added.
A visit by President Bush "will certainly close the margin somewhat, but may not be enough to save him," he said. "President Bush is very popular... hopefully he comes down" to Virginia, but we understand that he is very busy, Oh said.
Virginians will have the chance to vote on Nov. 6.
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