If you’re still getting used to the idea that your primary vote carries significant weight this time around, you’re not alone. I felt like I couldn’t escape the campaign ads all weekend.

Though predictions have been swirling about the impending “sweep” by Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, some voters are still undecided. Here’s your guide to the metropolitan-area movements of the presidential candidates today, in case you’d like to take one in:

BARACK OBAMA

• Rally at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; Free, public

• Rally at the 1st Mariner Area, Baltimore. Doors open at 2:45 p.m.; Free, public; RSVP encouraged

HILLARY CLINTON

After speaking yesterday in Bowie, the District and Manassas, Va., here’s the Clintons’ schedule for today:

Hillary: Will tour the GM Allison Transmission Plant in White Marsh, Md. and will speak at UVA in Charlottesville, Va. She’ll also take part in a Politico/ABC7 forum this evening.

Bill: Will speak in Fredericksburg, Roanoke and Fairfax, Va.

JOHN MCCAIN

• Rally in Richmond, Va. at Richmond International Airport. Begins at 5:30 p.m.; 5701 Hunstman Road

Have you already visited a local rally or speech? What were your impressions?

Above: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley during a town hall meeting at Bowie State University in on Sunday, Feb. 10. (AP Photo/Baltimore Sun, Kenneth K. Lam)

JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor

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A NoVa blogger posted over the holidays about the “simmering animosity that has been developing between the Virginia blogosphere and the Washington Post.” According to Prince William Co. blogger bvbl, WaPo is pushing sources not to talk to Virginia bloggers, threatening to cut off coverage.

The Post did launch LoudounExtra.com recently, but the site links to other area blogs run by bloggers not affiliated with the Post. They also have a “sponsored blogroll” on the bottom of the main post.com home page that links to blogs that participate in the ad sales program.

Why would WaPo do that if it felt blogs were competition?

JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor

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MAXjet Airways, an all-business class airline based in Dulles, Va., said today it would file for bankruptcy – leaving jets on the tarmac and stranding passengers on Christmas Eve.

In October, the airline halted flights from London to Washington, D.C., according to the BBJ. Earlier this month, it asked for trading of its stock on the London Alternative Investment Market to be stopped. And today, it cited high fuel prices and the deteriorating credit market for its “drastic measure.”

An airline consultant told the AP that “while business class service can be very profitable to airlines, it’s also a very “thin” market,” [Robert] Mann said. Serving, typically, “40 to 70 seats per flight, depending on the route and aircraft.” Any loss of market share to a competitor can be devastating, particularly to an all business-class carrier like MAXjet that didn’t have revenue from economy passengers — or a robust route system — to fall back on.

Rival business class airlines Eos and Silverjet claimed Monday to be enjoying continued success in the business travel market.

JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor

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First, a confession: I know this isn’t a typical blog post for On the Record, but anything Paula Deen-related always catches my eye. And, as you’ll soon discover, this squabble involves a Virginia-based company, so I feel justified.

Here’s the story: the Queen of Butter herself, Savannah’s Paula Deen, is being hounded by protestors for her relationship with Virginia’s Smithfield Foods (she peddles their hams).

Why are is the United Food and Commercial Workers union angry with the makers of the tasty meat? Because the union has fought with Smithfield Foods for more than a decade due to attempts to unionize workers at its pork-processing plant in N.C., the largest in the world.

Somehow, the protestors believe it’s Deen’s responsibility to meet with workers and take their concerns to Smithfield executives. And it sounds like they’ll chant “Paula, Paula, meet with the workers!” until she gives in.

The best part of the story? The reporter notes of the commotion outside The Lady & Sons, Deen’s restaurant: “Few customers inside bothered to look up from plates of fried chicken and sweet potatoes.”

JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor

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