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PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Obama Beats Clinton In Guam By 7 Votes

More Than 4,500 Island Democrats Cast Votes

POSTED: 9:09 am EDT May 3, 2008
UPDATED: 11:14 am EDT May 5, 2008

Barack Obama defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton in Saturday's Democratic caucuses on Guam by just seven votes.

More than 4,500 island Democrats voted.

Neither candidate campaigned on the island in person.

Results of the all-night count completed Sunday morning Guam time show delegates pledged to Obama with 2,264 votes to 2,257 for Clinton's slate.

The territory sends four pledged delegates and five superdelegates to the National Convention in August in Denver, although U.S. citizens on the island have no vote in the November election.

Long lines of voters were reported in schools, community centers and other caucus sites that were open for voting all day Saturday.

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."

Clinton and Obama pitched improved health care and economic opportunity as they courted Guam voters from across the international date line.

Both 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.


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