Obama wins Guam caucuses by seven votes over Clinton

Victory gives each candidate two delegates

Democratic voters in Tamuning, Guam, cast ballots at the senior center for during Democratic caucuses yesterday. Residents of the US territory have no vote for president in November. (Frank Lizama, Pacific Daily News/Associated Press)

HAGATNA, Guam - Barack Obama defeated Hillary Clinton by just seven votes out of more than 4,500 cast in Democratic presidential caucuses on Guam.

With all districts reporting, Obama collected 2,264 votes to 2,257 for Clinton in an election that sparked wide interest even though Guamanians, like other citizens in US territories, have no vote in the November presidential election.

All-day voting yesterday had people lining up at 21 caucus sites around the US territorial island, which has unexpected importance in a historic Democratic race in which every delegate matters.

At stake on the island 8,000 miles from Washington were four pledged delegate votes to be shared among eight elected delegates to the National Democratic Convention in Denver in August.

Slow ballot-by-ballot counting was conducted in the territorial legislative building after votes were hand carried from caucus sites.

US citizens in Guam have no vote in the November presidential election, but the close Clinton-Obama race is giving them an unaccustomed role in the nomination process.

Presidential caucuses on Guam usually pass without much notice from the candidates.

This time, Obama and Clinton made their case for the territory's four regular delegates with local advertising and long-distance interviews.

Lines formed early at some caucus sites.

Cynthia Estrada of Dedeo said she was making up her mind while waiting to vote, but she was leaning toward Clinton.

"She's had the experience," she said. "She's got her husband to help her."

Yona resident Tommy Shimizu said he was voting for Obama delegates.

"It's the fact that he grew up in Hawaii, and I think he can make change," he said. "I think it's time for that."

Neither candidate campaigned in Guam directly, but Clinton and Obama pitched improved healthcare and economic opportunity as they courted Guam voters from across the international dateline.

The candidates bought local advertising and conducted media interviews. In their protracted race for the nomination, no contest is being ignored.

Both Clinton and Obama say they've got the better health plan for Guamanians.

Obama said in an interview with Pacific Daily News that he would support reexamination of a $5.4 million Medicaid spending limit imposed on the territory.

Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, told KUAM radio earlier that his wife would work to remove the cap.

Hillary Clinton also has called for Guamanians to be able to vote in presidential elections.

The next major contests for the Democratic nomination are Tuesday in Indiana and North Carolina.

The two states have a combined 187 delegates at stake.