Recognizing that he would be unable to defeat Foreman by going toe-to-toe with this behemoth, Ali employed a strategy that came to be known as the "rope-a-dope."

The "rope-a-dope" has the inferior boxer leaning himself up against the ropes in the ring, allowing himself to be pummeled by his opponent, the intention being, that by covering up and weathering the attacks, the superior fighter will eventually punch himself out, giving the less powerful fighter the chance to then land a knock-out blow.

If this strategy in the ring is called the "rope-a-dope," in the Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama bout, Obama -- the underdog to the behemoth of the Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton -- could be said to be employing the "Hope-a-dope."

For years, Hillary Clinton was the one to beat, the "inevitable" nominee of the Democratic Party. Obama knew he simply could not win the nomination if he attempted to go toe-to-toe with her, exchanging policy ideas, points and counterpoints.

His chances, like Muhammad Ali's, first rested on getting in some early jabs (winning the Iowa caucus), weathering the onslaught of critics, then, wearing Hillary down (winning South Carolina primary, Super Tuesday, the Potomac primaries). Finally, he'd come in in the late rounds, with a devastating blow (winning Texas), where the weary and vulnerable Clinton wouldn't be able to "answer the bell".

Obama's strategy would be to hide behind meaningless bromides like "hope" knowing that, by doing so, he risked nothing that might expose him to be intellectually and politically inferior to Clinton, opening himself for an early knock-out blow.

Just as Foreman began to desperately flail for that one big haymaker, so too, did Hillary Clinton: Having BET owner Robert L. Johnson skillfully remind voters of Obama's past cocaine use; Questioning Obama's relationship with indicted gangster Tony Rezko; Charges of plagiarism, concerning Obama's "words mean something" remarks; Claims that Obama wasn't going to participate in more debates, etc.

These were the heavy punches thrown by a prizefighter, but they were easily absorbed, simply continuing to employ the "hope-a-dope" strategy of vacuous cliches that left Senator Clinton no target to hit.

Ultimately, Foreman fell to the lesser boxer on that day in Zaire more than three decades ago just as Hillary is falling to Obama as we get ready for the last "rounds" of the battle in Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania..

It remains to be seen if Obama can ride his "hope-a-dope" strategy to the nomination, or even to the presidency. But for now, he sure is floatin' like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.

I'm voting for Obama because he is inspiring those who have never been inspired by a politician; he is the anti-politician

I'm voting for Obama because he will move people to be greater than what they currently are, he will rally the young and old, left and right, black and white to come together and reach for greatness.

I'm voting for Obama because he is a proponent of change and hope -something our world desperately needs.

I'm voting for Obama because His ability to lift the spirits of those who are oppressed is evident in his soaring speeches not seen since Dr. King; this will truly heal the damaged reputation of the U.S. abroad.

I'm voting for Obama because he will provoke change and transformation in our nation, our communities, and ultimately, in ourselves.

He bridges the racial divide of inequality and resentment that plague us- he will repair the years of brokeness that have gone before us. In him the ivory tower of Ivy League schooling and inner city desperation kiss in an intimate resolution of tension, strife and the chasm of want.

He inspired Will.i.am to write a great song and video, showing he has the ability to transcend artistic barriers of indifference and greed, uniting those would otherwise be prone to capitalist quarreling.

I'm voting for Obama because He is in his forties just like Bill Clinton was. And just like JFK was.

I'm voting for Obama because He is willing to speak with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - and other misunderstood leaders of developing nations letting them know that, yes, we can.

I'm voting for Obama because he was not subjected to 5 years of Vietnamese imprisonment and torture, thereby proving his youthful vitality and ability to stay out of harrowing and unnecessary wars.

I'm voting for Obama because He will bring home the troops and finally leave Iraq to flourish in peace and prosperity.

I'm voting for Obama because He is so cool he is bound to have an effect on global warming.

I'm voting for Obama because I love the sound of beautiful words that sing like Clay Aiken on a warm summer day.

I'm voting for Obama because He makes me feel good about myself.

And what I feel defines what is real.

When I vote for Obama, I vote for me.