INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The state better known for basketball than barnstorming is witnessing politics at its most frenzied this weekend as the race to Indiana's primary and the Democratic presidential nomination reaches a fevered pitch.

Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton were back in the state Saturday, making late pitches with their supporters as the candidates battle to the wire for Indiana's 72 delegates on Tuesday's primary.

Both candidates see Indiana as a potential turning point. Obama, who has a lead in delegates, hopes to wrap up the nomination with wins in Indiana and North Carolina Tuesday, while Clinton wants to keep her candidacy alive.

Polls point toward a close race in Indiana, a state that even some of Clinton's supporters concede is critical to her campaign. It has been four decades since Indiana's late primary was in play during a presidential campaign, but now it's drawing national and international attention as a potential pivotal contest in the Democratic race.

"It's great for the party to be a battleground state for the first time in 40 years," said state Democratic Chairman Dan Parker, who is backing Clinton.

Former longtime Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton, who was making campaign stops in southern Indiana on behalf of Obama on Saturday and planned more Sunday, said, "The eyes of the world are on Indiana this Tuesday and certainly the eyes of the nation."

Obama, joined by his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia and Sasha, spoke in Indianapolis on Saturday and planned more stops in Noblesville, Kempton and Lafayette.

Bill Clinton was making a swing through six northern Indiana cities. He planned to join his wife and their daughter Chelsea for a rally Saturday night in Indianapolis featuring a performance by Hoosier rocker John Mellencamp.

Actors and actresses were stumping for the candidates, including Rob Reiner, Ted Danson and Sean Astin for Clinton. Women for Obama planned a Saturday night "get-out-the-vote" rally at an Indianapolis mall featuring actress Jessica Lange.

Former Democratic U.S. House leader Richard Gephardt was making campaign stops for Clinton, as was Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, who campaigned hard for her in the Ohio primary she won. Gov. Tim Kaine of Virgina, a state Obama won, was campaigning for him.

Even an out-of-state legislator was involved. Massachusetts state Sen. Marc Pacheco made some stops on behalf of Clinton, which included talking to average folks on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

Sporting a button that said "Real men vote for Hillary Clinton," he urged Michelle Clendenning of Kokomo to vote for Clinton because "she is a person who means what she says and does what she says."

Clendenning, 29, sitting outside a Starbucks coffee shop, said neither candidate had won her over.

"It's just really hard to decipher with all the negativity that's in the press," she said.

Both campaigns said there were extensive canvassing efforts being made across the state.

One in an Indianapolis neighborhood began with a "Barack Block Party" organized by Hope Tribble, 43. There was popcorn was available from a popper, hot dogs, music, and folks blowing up red, white and blue balloons to distribute as they went door to door.

Tribble said she supported Obama because of his integrity.

Linda Matson of Xenia, Ohio, said she saw the event posted on an Obama Web site and decided to come and knock on doors through Monday. She said she voted for Clinton in the Ohio primary, but later got dismayed with her "because I felt she was very negative."

On Sunday, Clinton will be the guest on ABC's "This Week" morning show, while Obama will be on NBC's "Meet the Press." Both shows are being broadcast from Indianapolis.

The weekend of political frenzy was to culminate Sunday night at the Indiana Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner at the Indiana Convention Center. Clinton, Obama and Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean are all scheduled to speak to a crowd of about 2,300.