Celebrities stump for Obama in Virginia

AND OLYMPIA MEOLA Times-Dispatch Staff Writers

Pop, comedic and political royalty cruised through Virginia yesterday as rapper Jay-Z, Chris Rock and Caroline Kennedy stumped on behalf of Sen. Barack Obama.

Meantime, three of Sen. John McCain's fellow former Vietnam War POWs began a threeday Virginia campaign swing on his behalf.

Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, made several stops in Virginia yesterday, including one at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she addressed a standing-room-only crowd of more than 300.

Kennedy said the Democratic nominee had ignited an interest among young people in public service not seen since her father's 1961-63 presidency.

"We haven't had a leader who is capable of lighting it until now," said Kennedy, drawing a comparison between her father and Obama.

In an interview later, Kennedy, who helped lead Obama's vice-presidential search process, declined to comment on the Republican vice-presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who appeared last night in Henrico County.

"I'm here to support Barack Obama and Joe Biden," she said.

Last night at Virginia Union University's gymnasium, an estimated 2,400 people, most young African-Americans, turned out for a get-out-the-vote rally featuring Jay-Z and media moguls Russell Simmons and Kevin Liles.

"Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk," Jay-Z told the crowd. "Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama's running so we all can fly."

Del. Dwight Clinton Jones, D-Richmond, a candidate for mayor, briefly addressed the crowd before the main event. When you meet a president, you address him as Mr. President, he said.

"I can't wait until November 5th, and I'm going to say "Hello, Brother President," if Obama is elected, he said.

Rock, an actor and comedian, headlined a get-out-the vote rally last night at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk.

Other actors and actresses boosting Obama in Virginia this weekend include Ben McKenzie, who appeared on the television series "The O.C.," John Cho, who appeared in the "American Pie" and "Harold and Kumar" films, and Kerry Washington, who played Jamie Foxx's wife in the movie "Ray."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will make the case for McCain today at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg.
Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 649-6814 or .

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6061 or .