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Obama Narrowly Tops Clinton In Guam Caucuses

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The New York Times

Published: May 4, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama appeared to win the Democratic caucuses in Guam on Saturday, defeating Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton by a seven-vote margin amid unprecedented voter participation there.

When hand-counting finished shortly before 9 a.m. today, delegates pledged to Obama had received 2,264 votes, and Clinton's slate had received 2,257, according to The Associated Press.

Turnout at the caucuses was about three times greater than in previous years. Party officials said many people registered as Democrats at the caucus sites.

Although Guamanians are U.S. citizens, they do not have a vote in the general presidential election. Guam, however, sends eight delegates - with half a vote each, awarded proportionally - to the Democratic National Convention.

Because of the closeness of the vote, the outcome in Guam is unlikely to affect the delegate margin.

The caucuses, however, also determined two of Guam's five superdelegates. Pilar Lujan, who is uncommitted, won the race for party chair, and Jaime Paulino, who supports Obama, was elected vice chair. Two of the island's other established superdelegates are on record as supporting Clinton.

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