Former Virginia Governor and Democrat Mark Warner (web|bio) has succeeded in a state that has traditionally voted Republican and some are wondering if Barack Obama (web|news|bio) will be able to do the same.

The state's demographics have made it a battleground in the upcoming presidential election. In fact,  rural Virginia could make the difference between a Republican or Democrat in the White House. Virginia, however, hasn't voted for a Democratic President since Lyndon Johnson in l964, but Democratic rural strategist Dave "Mudcat" Saunders insists that inside every rural Virginia Republican is a Democrat trying to get out.

"The question is can Obama become acceptable to the culture. If he does, he wins Virginia. If he doesn't, he loses," said Saunders.  Saunders, rural America's very vocal champion, believes in God, guns and the proud history of his confederate ancestors.

"If he [Obama] would come out here, talk to us, ask for our vote and explain similarity of his culture and our culture, you'll see 1/10 white people who voted for Bush in 2004 will...vote for Obama," said Saunders.

But when ABC 7's Gordon Peterson asked conservative Republican Tommy Anderton if he would vote for Obama, he said, "Absolutely not. He's an empty suit." And when asked if he would ever hear Obama speak, he said, "I would listen and not believe a word he'd say."

And you'll never convince gun store owner Ellen Horn that Obama has her best interests at heart. "I don't think he will fight for my rights," said Horn, "I'm probably going to vote for McCain because I think he's leading more toward my rights."

It appears rural Virginians may produce a tough crowd for Obama, because as "Mudcat" Saunders said,"Before Democrats start to reach out to Bubba, they need to know exactly who Bubba is."