I've written a number of diaries on Obama and basketball. It's his first love, after all. He is wisely using his love of basketball in Indiana, a basketball-crazed state, holding a 3-on-3 game tonight. The game below the jump.
Story here.
KOKOMO, Ind. – The N.C.A.A. bracket has already gathered dust and the championship game is long in the books, but it’s always basketball season here in Indiana. So after a day on the campaign trail, Senator Barack Obama suited up for a game of hoops tonight.
It must be crunch time.
[snip]
In a state where the game of basketball is sacrosanct, where gymnasiums across the state are named out of tradition and respect, Mr. Obama is hoping to capture a bit of the Hoosier magic. To encourage people to register to vote, the Obama campaign held a registration contest. The prize? A game of 3-on-3 with the presidential candidate.
A genius political strategy, as I said. This will allow him to connect with IN voters, as well as get some press. So how did the game go?
Here in Kokomo, on the mean hardwoods of Maple Crest Middle School, Mr. Obama sauntered out tonight in a gray United States Marine Corps T-Shirt and black sweat pants. Shooting for teams, Mr. Obama missed his first shot and swished the second, fired off from just above the 3-point line.
"That’s in," he said, nodding his head.
The game unfolded for about 20 minutes, with every rebound, dribble and shot of Mr. Obama’s being captured on camera. (And, if the campaign gets its wish, on front pages across Indiana tomorrow.) Several dozen fans watched from the bleachers, as well as a retinue of Secret Service and a couple paramedics from the Kokomo Fire Department.
[snip]
When the game ended, Team Obama won 15 – 5. The unofficial scorebook will reflect that Mr. Obama scored four baskets, made four rebounds, two steals and one assist.
And, more importantly, the images supplanted that night in the Pennsylvania bowling alley.
Now, the attacks on his bowling were silly, but still, it can't be bad to get this type of story into the press.
Update: And we have video!