Biden visiting Danville on Friday

By Bernard Baker
Media General News Service

Published: October 24, 2008

Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden will campaign Friday at the Community Market in Danville.

Biden will talk about the Democratic presidential ticket’s plans for the economy, health care and ending the war in Iraq, according to a campaign news release.

Doors open for the rally at 1:45 p.m. and the program begins at 3:45 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but people are encouraged to RSVP at http://www.VA.barackobama.com.

Sheila Baynes, chairman of the Danville Democratic Committee, said this is another of several stops national Democrats have made in the Danville area.

“Again, it reiterates the importance of Danville and Southside, in part, in this campaign,” Baynes said.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made an unannounced stop in Danville in August and former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus has been here twice campaigning for the Illinois senator.

“Never ever have we had so much attention paid at the grass roots level in Danville,” Baynes said. “And our area is a good place to be doing this because of high unemployment, our low-wage jobs and the lack of health insurance and good health care for people.”

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has yet to visit Southern Virginia, but his running mate Sarah Palin is holding a rally Monday in Salem.

After leaving Danville, Biden will head to a rally at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville. The rally is set to begin at 6:45 p.m. at Stone Hall.

Democrat Tom Perriello, a candidate in the 5th District House race, is scheduled to speak at both rallies.