Hank Williams Jr. is about to kick it off....

U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake is ratcheting up the crowd as we speak and apparently Hank Williams Jr. is going to put on a show today.

Drake, you'll recall, is the incumbent locked in a race with newcomer Glenn Nye for the rambling 2nd District which includes parts of Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore. Drake has got to be elated about the visit from John McCain and Sarah Palin. Drake and Nye have been dumping cash on television ads and internal polling suggests that she's ahead in the race, but it is a close one.   

"We're happy to welcome Sarah Palin to Virginia Beach," Drake said.

Drake is wearing red like the crowd - which some folks suggest looks like a Nebraska Cornhuskers home football game. Just a few choice words from Drake and the crowd is ready shouting "NOBama, NObama, NObama."

Lining up behind Drake in matching red ties are Attorney Gen. Bob McDonnell and U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes.

Anbother couple signs spotted: "Pet Owners for McCain" and "McPalin with a side of freedom."