North Carolina

It is only fitting that during the heat of the NBA playoffs that the nation's two most basketball rich states, Indiana and North Carolina, head to the polls today to continue the Democratic nomination process. 

Voters in North Carolina, home to Michael Jordan, Cameron Indoor Arena, and North Carolina State's memorable run in the NCAA Tournament in 1983, head to the polls today from 6:30am to 7:30pm.  Polls in the Tar Heel State have Senator Obama up slightly in the contest for the state's 115 pledged delegates.

In Indiana, home to Larry Joe Bird, Assembly Hall on the Campus of Indiana University, and Milan High School's improbable run in the 1954 state basketball championships, voters will head to the polls from 6:00am until 6:00pm.  (Note: These times will vary because certain areas in Western Indiana operate on Central Daylight Time from March until November.)  Senator Clinton holds a slight advantage in Indiana where voters will decide how its 72 pledged delegates are split up.

Perhaps coach Norman Dale might be best to fire up the volunteers in the Hoosier State to Get Out The Vote today.

In North Carolina, Jim Valvano, the legendary coach of North Carolina State who knew how to get a crowd fired up should be the campaign's choice to rally the troops: Never Give Up!

I encourage you listen to Philadelphia native Will Smith while reading this.

Muhammad Ali vs. Smokin' Joe Frazier. "Sugar" Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran; Arturo Gatti vs. "Irish" Micky Ward; "Sugar" Ray Robinson vs. Jake "The Raging Bull" Lamotta; Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield vs. "Iron" Mike Tyson; "The Italian Stallion" Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed.

None of these great rivals have faced off more than Senator Hillary "Lights Out" Clinton and Senator Barack "Boom-Boom" Obama, even as they plan to debate two more times in the coming three weeks. Unlike championship fights, you won't need pay-per-view to watch the debates, as the networks will offer wall-to-wall coverage of them.

Here is a preview of the upcoming contests:

For the hundreds reading this blog and the millions who have already cast their ballots around the nation Let's get ready to...(Because of copyright infrigements we are unable to finish this quote)

In the Blue Corner, debating out of the south side of Chicago, Barack "Boom-Boom" Obama.

In the other Blue Corner, out of Chappaqua, New York by way of Little Rock, Hillary "Lightsout" Clinton.

Clinton Obama XXV:
April 16, 2008
National Constitution Center
Philadelphia, PA
8:00PM EDT
ABC
Judges Scoring the bout from Ringside:
George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson

Clinton Obama XXVI: Uno Mas
April 27, 2008
Site: TBD (Sites in Raliegh and Charlotte are being considered)
CBS
More details to follow

In both debates, legendary fight doctor and artist Ferdie Pacheco will be played by Dr. Howard Dean, who will stop the contest if any candidate is getting beat up too badly or by July 4th. Whichever comes first.