Three years after Barack Obama won the state of Virginia in 2008 presidential election, it appears the Old Dominion's political pendulum is swinging back to the right.

Virginia voters made history Tuesday, pushing  the Republican majority in House of Representatives to 65 -- the most comfortable majority the GOP has ever held in the House.

On the other side of the state capitol - the fight for control of the state Senate became a national battleground as Democrats and Republicans sharpened their attacks ahead of the 2012 presidential election.

Republicans pulled even in the Senate, a chamber previously controlled by Democrats. But the GOP has the advantage, with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, serving as the tie-breaker.

"Over the course of this campaign, Republican candidates have focused on providing commonsense solutions to the challenges facing our citizens. And that is how we will govern in the majority," Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said.

McDonnell is widely expected to be a top choice as a Republican presidential running mate in 2012.
   
Because of Virginia's close proximity to Washington and the fact that it's a swing state, the state legislative elections are an important indicator of the mood of the electorate less than one year before the 2012 election.

"Everything from now until November 2012 is going to be, some aspect, about the campaign," CBN News Political Editor John Waage said.

Aware of their importance, President Obama is traveling to swing states like Virginia to push his American Jobs Act and sharpen the contrast between him and Republicans.

"These members of Congress -- they work for you and if they're not delivering, it's time you let-em know," the president said.
    
In 2008, President Obama won Virginia decisively with nearly 53 percent of the vote over Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who had 46 percent.
   
Once again he'll work to woo Virginians, who for the moment have decided the GOP should lead.