2008 Virginia Democratic presidential primary

The 2008 Virginia Democratic primary, will take place on February 12, 2008, nicknamed the "Potomac Primary" because the District of Columbia and Maryland also hold Democratic primaries that day.^[1] It is an open primary, and is competitive for the first time since 1988.^[2]

The Barack Obama campaign divided Virginia into 4 regions in which to campaign: Northern Virginia, Richmond, Charlottesville, and the Tidewater region in the southeast. He is expected to do well with affluent and independent voters, as well as with African-American voters, who could total 25% of the vote on primary day.^[2]

The Hillary Clinton campaign has said it will focus its efforts on Prince William and Loudoun counties, especially older white professional women, and also in the unemployment plagued Southwest Virginia.^[2]

According to a February 7 poll conducted by InsiderAdvantage, Obama leads Clinton 52% to 37% with a 4% margin of error; it added that the candidates evenly split the white vote, while Obama led among African-Americans.^[3] A SurveyUSA poll publisher February 8 found Obama leading Clinton 59% to 39% with a 4.1% margin of error and 1% undecided.^[4] A Mason-Dixon poll conducted February 7-8 showed 53% Obama 37% Clinton with a 5% margin of error.^[5] A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted February 6-7 with a 4% margin of error shows Obama leading 55% to 37%.^[6]

• Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008
• Virginia Republican primary, 2008