Obama disputes 25 percent military cut claim

Barack Obama disputed Friday a claim by the John McCain campaign that Obama would cut defense spending 25 percent – an attack that could cost Obama votes in Hampton Roads, with its concentration of military forces and defense contractors.

In a news release, Obama’s campaign called the Republican TV and radio ads “desperate and dishonest.”

The Democrat began airing his own TV ad in the Norfolk market in response. It quotes Robert Kagan, a military adviser to McCain, saying that “Obama wants to increase defense spending. He wants to add 65,000 troops to the Army and recruit 27,000 more Marines … to fight terrorism.”

The McCain ads are based on a statement made by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.

Despite the Obama rebuttal, Republicans continued the attack Friday. In a conference call with Virginia reporters, a group of prominent McCain supporters, including former U.S. Sen. George Allen and Attorney General Bob McDonnell, argued that congressional Democrats will push next year for defense spending cuts that, in McDonnell’s words, “will be devastating for the national defense and for Virginia.”

The defense spending attack will be a key part of McCain’s “closing argument,” particularly in Hampton Roads, McDonnell added.

State board sends staff to help out

The State Board of Elections has sent at least four staff members over the past week or so to help the Suffolk registrar’s office meet the huge demand from absentee voters, said Valarie Jones, deputy secretary of the state board. Suffolk is one of a handful of offices in Virginia receiving the extra help, Jones said. Virginia Beach also has received some assistance.

The state board offered its services to localities with the biggest increases in new voter registrations, Jones said. Some registrars said they didn’t need the help.

– Dave Forster, The Pilot

Doonesbury has no doubt about Obama

Some newspaper editors are pondering how to deal with a “Doonesbury” comic strip for Wednesday that assumes Barack Obama will win the presidency.

C reator Garry Trudeau drew a week’s strips showing his characters reacting to an Obama win. He offered no option for a John McCain win.

– From Pilot and wire reports