Today Show Broadcasts in Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg, Virginia -- As announced NBC's Today Show broadcast their Wednesday morning show from the colonial capitol of Williamsburg, Virginia. The theme of the show was the possibility that Virginia could become a "blue state" for the first time since 1964 and vote for a Democratic presidential candidate. Virginia is a critical "swing state" in this year's presidential election and according to the most recent polls, McCain retains a slim four percentage point margin in the contest for Virginia's 13 electoral votes.

The Today Show set up at the end of Colonial Williamsburg's famed Duke of Gloucester Street (DOG Street to locals) and thousands gathered to view the show with personalities Mat Lauer and Al Roker hosting the event. Sadly, for most that attended, the street was blocked off in such a way that the crowd could only catch fleeting glimpses of Matt Lauer and Al Roker. Those that showed up before 5 AM for the show that began at 7 AM had a position along the front line. The remainder of the crowd, estimated at about 3,000 had to be satisfied with just being in attendance.

Spectators included those that supported McCain as well as supporters for Obama. Placards and signs announcing support for a particular candidate all vowed for a position that might enable the candidates name to occupy a second or two of television time on the popular Today Show. Wild cheers emanated from the crowd each time that the Today Show hosts of Lauer or Roker moved within eye shot of the crowd. A large contingent of William and Mary students attended the event. The William and Mary Young Republican group occupied a prominent position in the front of the crowd as they had begun gathering at 4:30 AM to secure their position.

In sleepy Williamsburg, a crowd estimated at about 3,000 is an unusual happening. Not since President Bush's attendance at the 400^th celebration of the founding of Jamestown as the first permanent English settlement in the summer of 2007 has a crowd this large assembled. The diversity of the crowd in attendance could not escape notice. The old as well as the young were all attracted to the event. Grandparents and the retired were joined by a younger generation of school children and mothers with babies. Hundreds of William and Mary students easily identifiable by their William and Mary attire were also present in abundance. The local Chick-fil-A was present along DOG Street and handed out free breakfast sandwiches to a hundred or more that were fortunate to have passed by at the right time.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the Today Show appearance was focusing the national spotlight on Colonial Williamsburg and it's importance in American history. Al Roker was dressed in colonial attire as he provided his weather forecast and Matt Lauer was surrounded by a large contingent of Colonial Williamsburg employees dressed in their normal workday colonial attire. In the background was the famed Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps which provided music for the nationally televised opening of the Today Show.

Each of the three local television stations covered the event and local coverage is sure to add even more excitement to this year's Presidential election in Virginia. The Today Show in Colonial Williamsburg seemed to be saying that in this year's election the phrase "as Virginia goes, so goes the nation" might be applicable.