Nebraska emerges as 2008 battleground

OMAHA | Nebraska is known for corn and college football, not political significance as a presidential battleground.

So why do the 600,000 people in the state’s second congressional district suddenly feel like they live in Ohio?

They are seeing dozens of political ads for Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain, and even they got a visit from the Republican vice-presidential nominee.

It all started when Team Obama decided to take advantage of the state’s split electoral vote system, basically running a congressional race here for the office of the presidency.

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It’s also gone topsy-turvy - Republicans aren’t supposed to campaign in Nebraska. The state hasn’t voted for a Democrat for president in 44 years.

Mr. McCain still has no offices in Nebraska; Mr. Obama will open his third this weekend. Some ask whether it’s wise for the campaign to devote resources for one electoral vote in a district that backed President Bush by 61 percent four years ago.

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“It’s important for our success to get to 270 electoral votes and beyond to have lots of different paths to get there,” Obama deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand told The Washington Times last summer. “There are certain scenarios that get us to 269, which doesn’t win you the presidency. So Nebraska Two could be a very important place.”

The Obama camp sees encouraging signs in voter registration numbers, enthusiasm and in the district’s diverse, metropolitan Omaha.

Democrats also suggested McCain running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin wouldn’t have visited unless the Republicans were worried, an idea she rejected. She blasted “pundits” who suggested Republicans were scared about the district.

“I so wanted to reach into that TV and say, ‘No, I’m going to Nebraska because I want to go to Nebraska,’” Mrs. Palin said at a Sunday night rally with about 6,000 at the Omaha Music Hall. “It’s truly because I asked to come to the heartland of America.”

Obama Nebraska state director John Berge rolled his eyes when hearing that quote. “Candidates don’t really have a say in where they go,” he said. “Any time a presidential candidate takes notice of our state it’s a good thing.”

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