Obama Campaign Opens Reston Office

There was birthday cake to celebrate President Barack Obama's 51st birthday. But more importantly, there were sign-up sheets, neighborhood team leaders, volunteers and precinct maps at the opening of Obama For America's Reston office on Saturday.

The office, located at 1760 Reston Parkway, Suite 200, will be the nerve center for campaign operations in Reston and Herndon as the 2012 Presidential election approaches on Nov. 6.

That is just 92 days away, Obama staffers and volunteers pointed out.

"We have a lot of Democratic support here in Virginia," said Kathy Fredgren, the volunteer neighborhood team leader for Hunters Woods/Glade precincts. "But only 40 to 50 percent of people eligible actually vote. We need people here in our neighborhoods to know that every vote matters."

Among the local Democratic names in attendance - Virginia Attorney General candidate and State Sen. Mark Herring (VA-33rd), Del. Ken Plum (Reston), Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) and Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins.

The Reston office was one of six campaign offices in Virginia that opened on Saturday.

Herring reminded the standing-room only crowd that Northern Virginia voters helped deliver Virginia for Obama in 2008.

"It wasn't that long ago that Republican candidates assumed they would win in Virginia," said Herring. "We are now a battleground state. I am so proud of Virginia. With this kind of energy, we will keep Virginia in the President's column."

Connolly, who is seeking re-election to the House of Representatives in November, called Northern Virginia "the epicenter" of the presidential election.

"We are poised for another victory," he said. "But that doesn't happen by wishing. It happens by making phone calls, show leather, bumper stickers. It is going to be a hard-fought campaign. This country is divided. Barack Obama has worked hard to turn this country around - he inherited the [Bush administration's] mess."

The office will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.