Va. vital for presidential candidates

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) - Virginia has become a battleground state for both presidential candidates whose campaigns will be holding three rallies in the Hampton Roads area this week.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will campaign for Mitt Romney at a rally for veterans in Virginia Beach Thursday, and President Barack Obama will be holding two grassroots events at local high schools on Friday.

According to a spokesperson with the Obama campaign, 2,000 people lined up in Virginia Beach to pick up tickets for the Obama events. Nikki McGregory was first in line at 8 a.m.

"It's important to me because I want to show my son how positive this is and for him to have the experience," McGregory said.

Tickets for the Giuliani event are available online . Both events are free and open to the public.

Professor of government at Regent University Dr. Charles Dunn said Virginia is vital to both campaigns.

"You might say as Virginia goes, so goes the nation," Dunn said.

Bill Sowers of Veterans of Foreign Wars post 392 says the Romney event may have been scheduled last minute.

"There will be an ebb and flow of this occurring throughout the campaign as they try to one up one another to get the advantage in getting their message out to Virginians," Dunn said.

Dunn says the key for both candidates will be making sure their message reaches beyond existing supporters.

"As the independents go, so will go Virginia," Dunn said.

President Obama will also hold an additional event in Roanoke on Friday.