Obama, Clinton rivalry spreads to Grammys

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama will compete with former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter at the Grammy Awards in February, organizers said on Thursday.

The audio-book versions of their latest tomes were all nominated for best spoken-word album, along with titles by poet Maya Angelou and actor Alan Alda.

In recent years, the category has been a virtual gift to the Democratic Party.

Carter won the race in 2007, in a tie with actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, while Obama took the prize the year before. Clinton won in 2005 for his autobiography "My Life." A year earlier, he took home the award for best spoken-word children's album.

Not to be outdone, Obama's rival for the Democratic nomination, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, won the spoken-word Grammy in 1997 while she was still first lady.

This year, Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois, is nominated for "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream," while Clinton is up for "Giving: How Each Of Us Can Change the World," and Carter for "Sunday Morning in Plains: Bringing Peace to a Changing World."

Angelou, a three-time winner in this category, was nominated for "Celebrations." Former "M*A*S*H" star Alda will compete with "Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself."

Winners in all 110 categories will be unveiled during ceremonies in Los Angeles on February 10.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman; editing by Steve Gorman and Jackie Frank)