Clinton Vs. Obama (And Carter Too!) At The Grammys

(AP)

Presidential politics is truly inescapable these days, even at the Grammys. Among the nominations announced today were those for Best Spoken Word Album, and the list of contenders presents some tough choices for Democrats. Bill Clinton is nominated for the audiobook of "Giving: How Each Of Us Can Change The World." His wife's top rival for the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama, is nominated for his reading of his bestseller "The Audacity Of Hope." And another former Democratic president, Jimmy Carter, received a nod for his recording of "Sunday Mornings In Plains."

Another nominee is one of the original Friends Of Bill, former U.S. poet laureate Maya Angelou, for her recording of "Celebrations." The final nominee, Alan Alda for "Things I Overheard While Talking To Myself," was once nearly elected president – as a Republican – during the final season of TV's "The West Wing."

In another "art imitates life" moment, Grammy voters who prefer experience may want to side with a Clinton: the former president is a two-time winner in the Spoken Word category, last winning in 2005 for the audiobook version of his autobiography. Obama's no rookie here, though, having won the award in 2006 for the reading of his autobiography, "Dreams From My Father."

Of course, Grammy voters also like to award accomplished artists who have been overlooked in the past. If that's their priority, give the golden gramophone to Mr. Carter, who was nominated in 1997 and 2001, only to lose both times.

We'll know the winner of this contest right around when we're likely to know the Democratic nominee: The Grammys are on Feb. 10, only five days after Super-Duper Tuesday contests in 22 states.

More from CBS News