In his update on MyDD's Senate forecast today, Chris rightly notes that Virginia is now very much on the board as Jim Webb edges closer and closer to George Allen in the polls. DSCC chair Chuck Schumer has apparently come to the same conclusion, as Michael D. Shear reports for The Washington Post.

[Webb's new ad] also comes amid signs that national Democrats are taking the race seriously. Two sources, who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss campaign strategy, said the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has hired Mo Elleithee, a consultant who was communications director for Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's campaign, to produce independent ads on behalf of Webb.

Elleithee and DSCC officials declined to comment. But the decision to bring on Elleithee suggests that Virginians may soon see more hard-hitting ads attacking Allen.

As Chris notes, Webb is at a clear monetary disadvantage even after having raised big dollars since winning the Democratic primary earlier this summer. Though Allen is clearly on the defensive these days having completely lost control of his image, his large warchest should nonetheless help him get reestablished with Virgnians over the next 60 days.

That is why the decision by the DSCC to invest serious funds in Virginia is so important. Every attempt by Allen to reassert himself in Virginia through paid media must be met in kind with a response, and the DSCC appears determined to provide it. With Allen now firmly under 50 percent and Webb within the margin of error, a few million dollars could go a long way to keep Allen's support soft and help put Jim Webb in the position to win in November.

If you, too, want to help out, visit Jim Webb on ActBlue.