RICHMOND -- Virginia's capital was the epicenter of the Democratic Party's presidential nomination fight Saturday night, as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama appealed for the support of a record crowd attending the state party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The rival candidates made separate appearances before a boisterous audience of about 5,000 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, an event staged just three days before a suddenly important Virginia primary. Many Virginia Democrats had feared the nomination battle would be decided before they got to weigh in on the contest. Now they have a front-row seat to a neck-and-neck race.

The appearances of Clinton and Obama showed that the importance of Virginia's 101 convention delegates is not lost on the candidates.

Clinton spoke first, mixing blistering criticism of President Bush and promises to provide universal health care coverage, improve the plight of middle- and low-income families and end the war in Iraq. Clinton touted her experience in public life and took swipes at Sen. John McCain, the front-runner for the Republican nomination.

"If I'm the nominee, you'll never have to worry that I'll be knocked out of the ring, because I do have the strength and experience to lead this country and I'm ready to go toe-to-toe with Senator McCain," she said, dismissing McCain as "more of the same."

Clinton cited Iraq as a key point of distinction between her and McCain, saying: "Senator McCain wants to keep troops in Iraq for 50 to 100 years. I will start bringing them home within 60 days."

Obama took the stage at nearly 10:30 p.m., fresh from victories in Saturday's Louisiana primary and caucuses in Nebraska and Washington state.

"We won in the North, we won in the South, and we won in between," Obama said. "And I believe we can win Virginia on Tuesday if you're ready to stand for change."

Obama aimed fire at both McCain and Clinton, declaring himself the candidate best able to battle McCain on the issues and attract independent voters.

"The stakes are too high and the challenges too great to play the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expect a different result," Obama said.

Obama called his contest with Clinton "a choice between debating John McCain about who has the most experience in Washington, or debating him about who's most likely to change Washington."

The event was part gala and part pep rally. About 2,500 people, many in formal attire, filled dinner seats on the arena floor that sold for $175 each. About 2,500 more sat in bleacher seats that sold for as little as $35. Many of them were young, sign-waving Obama supporters who occasionally erupted in spontaneous chants of "Obama," "We want change" and "Yes, we can."

"I have never seen such a large crowd, nor have I seen a crowd this enthusiastic," said Del. Onzlee Ware of Roanoke. "I'm just really impressed with all of the young faces I see."

Obama has the backing of Gov. Tim Kaine, who is serving as a national co-chairman of his campaign, and former Gov. Doug Wilder. But former Gov. Mark Warner, who is running for the U.S. Senate, will not declare a preference. His wife, Lisa Collis, is supporting Obama.

"I'm not endorsing either candidate," Warner told reporters before the dinner. "I hope that I'll be able to work with one as the next president and one as a fellow senator."

While Saturday was a night for Democrats, Kaine said independent voters could be critical to the outcome of Tuesday's primary. With McCain holding a commanding lead in the GOP race, Kaine said swing voters have incentive to cast their ballots in the Democratic race.

"I think you might see a number of independents, even more than normal, coming into the Democratic fold and voting for Senator Obama," Kaine said.