Nebraska emerges as 2008 battleground

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By Christina Bellantoni

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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