Kaine to party in Maryland

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) will swing through Maryland later this month to attend the Maryland Democratic Party's "United for Change" Gala.

"We're thrilled Gov. Kaine is joining our celebration and just as thrilled to be able to export so much of our volunteer talent and energy to ensure an Obama/Biden victory in Virginia and Pennsylvania," state party Chair Michael Cryor said in a statement. "We're sending well over a thousand volunteers north and south every week so we're raising the funds necessary to keep that operation running on all cylinders up to and including Election Day."

With Barack Obama leading John McCain in Maryland's latest polls, Democrats and Republicans have been exporting volunteers to Virginia in recent weeks.

The Gala fundraiser -- featuring Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore) and U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Baltimore) -- will be held Monday, October 27, just one week before the 2008 election.