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Politicians, pollsters and analysts are eager to see if the state's dramatic demographic transformation will scrape out a win for Democrats or whether its southern traditional values boosted by Tea Party conservatism will carry the day. The election across the Potomac River from Washington is a barometer of the popularity of the two major US political parties -- as well as that of the turbulent, conservative Tea Party movement that has upended national politics in recent years. On the right, 45-year-old Ken Cuccinelli, the state's anti-abortion, pro-gun Republican attorney general and Tea Party darling who was the first in the nation to mount a legal challenge against President Barack Obama's health care reforms in 2010. On the left, Democrat Terry McAuliffe, 56, a party insider who has never held elected office but whose business savvy and political pragmatism -- and his status as close friend to the Clintons -- have helped him emerge as the pre-election favorite.Read more...