WASHINGTON — Counting down to Election Day, Barack Obama appears within reach of becoming the nation’s first black president as the epic campaign draws to a close against a backdrop of economic crisis and lingering war. John McCain, the battle-scarred warrior, holds out hope for a Truman-beats-Dewey-style upset.

Bridgewater College history and political science professor David McQuilkin saw a shift in Shenandoah Valley politics during the heated Democratic primary campaign between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama earlier this year.

The presidential contest in Virginia is heading toward a photo finish.

Earl Hanna fears what might happen to gun rights if Democrat Barack Obama is elected president over Republican John McCain on Tuesday.

Today shapes up as a busy day of politics in the area.

STAUNTON — As the first African-American to serve as lieutenant governor of Maryland, Michael Steele is understandably proud of Democrat Barack Obama’s candidacy for president.

Del. Chris Saxman will spend the final days of the presidential race accompanying former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee across Southwest Virginia and likely joining Republican nominee John McCain on a last-minute weekend tour of the Old Dominion.

HARRISONBURG — The woman whose son could be the next president of the United States said Wednesday he was a born leader.

HARRISONBURG - Amid deafening crowd noise and a packed JMU Convocation Center, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama made his first Shenandoah Valley appearance Tuesday.

FREDERICKSBURG — Gov. Sarah Palin dashed through three Virginia cities Monday, deriding Sen. Barack Obama as “Barack the wealth-spreader.”

Bring your patience and ID’s, but leave behind any campaign outerwear on Nov. 4.

HARRISONBURG — Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, came to the Shenandoah Valley on Tuesday to rally Republicans and assure a strong showing for his friend, Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, in a critical part of what has become a battleground state.

RICHMOND — You betcha, Dustin du Bois plans to vote for Sarah Palin.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — John McCain assailed Barack Obama’s character and his campaign positions on taxes, abortion and more Wednesday night, hoping to turn their final presidential debate into a launching pad for a political comeback. “You didn’t tell the American people the truth,” he said.

RICHMOND — Vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin dashed into the conservative heartland the state on Monday, likening the struggling Republican ticket to a stock-car racer revved for a come-from-behind victory.