Virginia democrat says Obama would not win the state if election were held today-CNN

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9/3/11, "Dem: Obama wouldn't win Virginia today," CNN, Dan Merica, Political Ticker blog

"Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said if the 2012 presidential election was held today, President Barack Obama wouldn't win Virginia, a state he carried in 2008.

Speaking on local Washington radio station WTOP Friday, Connolly said, "In my opinion, no, today he would not win the state."

But, with more than a year before Election Day, Connolly said Obama still has time to regain the momentum he had in the last election.

"The growing diversity, especially in Northern Virginia, has changed the polity of Virginia permanently," said Connolly on The Politics Program With Mark Plotkin. "There is no question in my mind that President Obama can make a comeback and win Virginia."

Prior to Obama winning Virginia in 2008, the state had not voted for a presidential Democrat since former president Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. The last time Virginia voted for a Democratic president two elections in a row was in 1944 and 1948.

Connolly said that former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney would have the best chance of beating Obama in 2012 but that all White House hopefuls, including Obama, come with imperfections.

"I think that all of the Republican candidates, as does President Obama, have serious baggage," said Connolly.

Obama will visit Richmond, Va. on Sept. 9, the day after unveiling his jobs plan to a joint session on Congress."

via RedState.com