Now it's the Republicans' turn.

About 120 delegates and alternates from Virginia arrive in this Minnesota city today for their party's national convention, energized by Sen. John McCain's choice of a running mate and looking for a post-convention boost.

"I think everybody is very enthusiastic about the choice," of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, said Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick of Prince William County, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

"Virginia is a target state," he added. "Virginia's 13 electoral votes are going to be important to the road that the eventual winner will take to win.

"Convention or otherwise, it's obvious Virginia is going to get a lot of attention."

Enthusiasm for the new ticket will be important to McCain's chances in Virginia. He captured the GOP primary in Virginia on Feb. 12, but his vote total was only about half of the total Barack Obama drew in the state's Democratic primary.

Virginia, usually so reliably Republican that it has been virtually ignored in presidential contests, finds itself this year as a battleground state. The Obama campaign has poured money and manpower into the state, and polls show the race to be dead even.

"It will be obvious very soon that Virginia is not in play for [Democrats]" Frederick said. "Virginia is not a liberal state."

Virginia has not backed a Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, 11 elections ago.

"Virginians are independent by nature," said Attorney General Bob McDonnell, the likely GOP candidate for governor next year and chairman of the Virginia delegation.

"They look for the best leader and the candidate with the best ideas," he said.

"On the economy, national security and energy, the choice is clear. Virginians will choose John McCain."

So far, only one Virginia Republican is on the list of speakers. Rep. Thelma Drake, R-2nd, is on the roster tomorrow. The day's theme is service.

Other prominent Virginia Republicans will attend the convention, including retiring Sen. John W. Warner; Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, who was vetted for vice presidential consideration by the McCain campaign; former Gov. Jim Gilmore, who is running for the Senate; and former Sen. George Allen.

The delegation includes 63 delegates and 60 alternates, chosen at local and state conventions. Unlike the Democrats, the Republicans do not break down their delegation by gender, race or ethnic origin.

Obama strategists say they can win the election without Virginia's 13 electoral votes but that a victory in Virginia would lock up the election.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, said independents will decide the election. Once they begin focusing on the issues, they will see that McCain has the experience needed to lead the nation, Bolling said.

As for the closeness of the polls, Bolling said Obama should have a big lead because of the negative feelings toward President Bush and the positive image the national media have given Obama.

Bush will address the convention tomorrow on its opening night.

University of Virginia political commentator Larry Sabato said the average size of a post-convention bounce has been 6.8 percent in the polls, with Democrats getting a slightly higher rise than Republicans.

Democrat John Kerry got no bounce four years ago, Sabato said.

The GOP convention will be held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. About 45,000 visitors are expected.

One Virginia delegate already has had an impact. As a member of the Republican platform committee, Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter of Prince William County was successful in pushing an amendment that would extend invitations for NATO membership to former Soviet bloc countries, such as Georgia and Ukraine, that have either been invaded or threatened by Russia.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.