Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, is clearing a “pathway for victory” in battleground states—among them, Virginia, his campaign manager said yesterday. “One of the most significant moments in this election is that both Virginia and Colorado have strengthened,“ David Plouffe told a conference call with reporters from across the country.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is “conspiring” with the Barack Obama campaign to add pardoned felons to Virginia’s voting rolls, surrogates for John McCain said today. Former Republican Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore said some of the 1,500 felons restored to the voting rolls in 2007-2008 are repeat offenders. Felons are not allowed to vote in Virginia. The governor can restore voting rights, however. The pace of restoration has stepped up considerably under Kaine and his Democratic predecessor Mark R. Warner.

Del. Stephen C. Shannon, D-Fairfax, is a step closer to a formal bid for attorney general. Yesterday, he filed a statement of organization for the political committee Steve Shannon for Attorney General, according to Marty Mooradian, political director of Friends of Steve Shannon. While he is laying the groundwork for a formal run, Shannon is not expected to officially kick off his campaign until late this year or early next year.

Chuck Rosenberg, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia since 2006, is stepping down from the job later this month. Spokesman Jim Rybicki said Rosenberg informed President Bush of his intentions in a Sept. 30 letter. Rosenberg’s last day on the job will be Oct. 22. Rybicki said an acting U.S. attorney will likely be appointed until a replacement is nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Several Republicans who served in the state legislature today endorsed former U.S. Senate hopeful Mark R. Warner at a news conference in Richmond.