06.00 EDT Mount Vernon, VA

Just before 6am I saw the first political ads of the day. A long one from Obama setting out his plan; a shorter one from McCain contrasting himself and Obama. Yesterday Obama was in Virginia - in fact all members of both the tickets have been visiting the state regularly. Virginians aren't used to this level of presidential campaigning - but for the first time in years it is a swing state.

I'm off later this morning to one of the campaign offices in Arlington