We're aware of the overlap between the demographics of newspaper readers and professional wrestling fans -- even though our sports department stubbornly refuses to publish match results -- but just in case you missed it:

All three presidential contenders taped separate messages to be aired as part of World Wrestling Entertainment's popular "Monday Night Raw" program last night.

Politics has come to this.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton told fans to call her "Hill-Rod," recited her agenda and promised to be "a president who will go to the mat for you."

"This election is starting to feel a lot like King of the Ring," she said in a little trash talk. "The only difference? The last man standing may just be a woman."

Sen. Barack Obama borrowed the signature line from former WWE champion Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in a warning to the special interests in Washington. "Do you smell what Barack is cooking?" he asked with a grin.

Sen. John McCain cautioned both Democrats to look out for him in the general election. "Whatcha gonna do when John McCain and all his McCainiacs run wild on ya?" he asked.

"Raw" is one of cable television's top-rated shows, with more than 5 million weekly viewers, and WWE has been encouraging voter registration through its "Smackdown Your Vote!" program.

Jesse Ventura would be proud.

You're probably thinking, "Yeah, but what do bowlers think?"

Well, we'll tell you. Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Bowling Proprietors' Association announced that Mr. Obama won its statewide "Bowl Your Vote" challenge.

The three-day challenge gave voters at more than 130 bowling centers across the state the option to allocate their pin count (three-game scores) to either Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Obama.

Despite his own lackluster showing on the lanes in Altoona, Mr. Obama claimed victory by capturing 62 percent of the "bowling vote" versus Mrs. Clinton's 38 percent.

"Bowling is an enduring Pennsylvania tradition and a part of our state's identity, and we offer our congratulations to Senator Obama for capturing the hearts and minds of our state's bowlers," said Jack Minelli, president of the PABPA.

"We would also like to extend an offer for both candidates to receive complimentary bowling lessons. Despite capturing the 'bowling vote,' Senator Obama still needs a great deal of help with his technique."

The North Carolina Democratic Party yesterday dropped plans to host a presidential debate this weekend, citing time constraints and logistical issues.

Mr. Obama had declined to commit to the event, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, saying he wasn't sure it would fit into his schedule. The Illinois senator previously had agreed to debate in North Carolina on April 19.

Mrs. Clinton had agreed to the later date, and the state's Democratic leaders had urged Mr. Obama to join her.

The forum would have been the first moderated by CBS News anchor Katie Couric.

The Democratic candidates have debated 21 times during the campaign, including last Wednesday night in Philadelphia, but evidently some folks in North Carolina, who vote in their primary May 6, want one of their own.

Both candidates, however, have committed to attending the North Carolina Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on May 2 in Raleigh.

Sen. McCain was in Selma, Ala., yesterday speaking to a crowd of about 100 -- mostly white people -- about the bloody beatings of civil rights marchers there in 1965.

The visit to Selma, where the population is 70 percent black, was the first of a weeklong tour of communities that Mr. McCain said suffer from poverty and inattention from presidential candidates.

Asked about the makeup of the crowd, Mr. McCain said: "I am aware the African-American vote has been very small in favor of the Republican Party.

"I am aware of the challenges, and I am aware of the fact that there will be many people who will not vote for me," he said, "but I'm going to be the president of all the people."