A LARGE CROWD OF PEOPLE GATHERED AT BRISTOL VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL TO HEAR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BARACK OBAMA DURING A TOWN HALL MEETING. THIS WAS HIS FIRST STOP SINCE GETTING THE NOMINATION. HE HAD GREAT THINGS TO SAY ABOUT SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE REGION. OBAMA TOLD THE ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD THAT WANTS TO PASS UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE FOR EVERY AMERICAN. HE ALSO SAID WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF ENERGY TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE SKYROCKETING GAS PRICES. VIRGINIA IS EXPECTED TO BE A SWING STATE FOR OBAMA. THE COMMONWEALTH HAS NOT VOTED FOR A DEMOCRAT IN A PRESIDENTIAL RACE SINCE 1964.