15 Minutes of Fame Wrapping Up for Maine and Nebraska

Maine and Nebraska have just a few things in common: farms, plain-speaking, nitrogen-based atmospheres. But since today is Election Day, they share one super important trait . . .

Both states split their Electoral College votes. Which means that if a presidential candidate wins a majority of votes in a Congressional district, he can still score an Electoral vote even if he loses the state overall. This has potential ramifications for both candidates in tonight's tallying:

* Obama has his sights set on Nebraska's 2nd district, which includes most of Omaha. He recently dispatched Hillary Clinton there to gin up support among Cornhuskers who might be hesitant to vote for a man whose mother hailed from their hated neighbor, Kansas. It's a long shot, but in an Obama landslide the 2nd could go blue.

* McCain is hoping to snag an Electoral vote in Maine's 2nd district, which comprises the rural northern portion of the state. Sarah Palin stumped in Bangor two weeks ago, but embarassingly lost a moose shoot-off to local Democratic Congressman Mike Michaud. This one likely stays in Obama's column.

Who cares about these individual Electoral votes? Well, keep in mind that if Obama wins all the Kerry states plus Iowa, New Mexico, and Nevada, the Electoral College will be tied at 269-269 . . . Those plain-spoken, atmosphere-breathing farmers could just be the ones who tip the balance!

Tags: Barack Obama, Election Day, Electoral College, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Maine, Michael Michaud, Nebraska, Sarah Palin