by Mark Silva
The road to the White House may or may not run through Guam, but if it does it appears that Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton might have to share that road.
Obama and Clinton picked up what basically amounts to a split decision today in a place where neither Obama nor Clinton personally campaigned for the support: Guam.
Obama defeated Clinton by seven votes in the Guam Democratic presidential caucuses, the Associated Press reports of a count of more than 4,500 ballots that took all night. Neither candidate campaigned in the U.S. island territory in person, but both did long-distance media interviews and bought campaign ads for the caucuses.
The tally of the count finished Sunday morning Guam time show delegates pledged to Obama cornering 2,264 votes to Clinton's 2,257. That means they'll split the pledged delegate votes. Eight pledged delegates will attend the Democratic convention in Denver, each with one-half vote - while US. citizens on the remote Pacific island have no vote in the November election.
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 Dededo 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 issued this statement tonight:
"Today, the people of Guam made their voices heard and turned out in historic numbers to help pick our next President. I am grateful to the many people of Guam who voted for me and worked so hard to make today a success. I want to congratulate Senator Obama for running a vigorous campaign in Guam and look forward to our next contests in Indiana and North Carolina.
"While our campaign was dramatically outspent, we had an impressive grassroots-oriented effort. With the help of dedicated volunteers, thousands of people became energized by the idea of a brighter future for all Guamanians. Today's results further demonstrate that voters from Philadelphia to Dededo want a leader who will take swift action to get our nation back on track. I will be that President.
"After seven years of the Bush administration, Guamanians need someone who will stand up and fight for them. I will be that President and have outlined my solutions to improve the lives of families in Guam. Just this past week, I sought justice on behalf of Filipino veterans, who may finally have access to the benefits that have been unfairly withheld from them for over six decades.
"I have also been a strong proponent of the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, which recognizes the sacrifices of the people of Guam who demonstrated steadfast loyalty to our country despite extraordinary hardships and suffering during the Japanese occupation of Guam. And I have a plan to ensure quality, affordable health care to every single resident of Guam and other territories.
"As our campaign moves forward after this day, I will continue to champion the issues facing the people of Guam and when I'm President I will ensure that hard-working families of Guam have the resources and the opportunity to succeed.''
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Comments
Split decision in a CAUCUS state means HILLARY WON.
Split decision given Barry's big spending pattern means HILLARY WON.
Split decision in a caucus is meaningless anyway as BARACK IS UNELECTABLE in the Fall--most of his primary 'victories' are bogus and irrelevant to how we vote in the Fall.
I wish he and his egomaniacal wife in the pink tube top would just fold into Hillary's campaign graciously or find another line of work.
Posted by: Your Mama's votin' for Hillary | May 3, 2008 9:30 PM
Bush picked up a split decision? Do you realize that Obama won majority of the vote and Clinton did not? The standard of the US News media diminishes everyday.
This is just silly.
Posted by: diogu | May 3, 2008 9:33 PM
The only reason Obama did not win by a greater margin was because of Hillary's pandering to Guam voters, TELLING THEM SHE WOULD AMEND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION to make sure they could vote in elections. No joke! Read Jake Tapper, it's all over the internet! How much more of her do we have to swallow? Haven't we gagged enough? This woman will do ANYTHING to win!
Posted by: tony | May 3, 2008 9:54 PM
BOO - YA - Billary!!!
Billary was leading Guam by 11% just two weeks ago...
BwaHAHAHAHAHA!
Posted by: Billary Clinton = bad for you, bad for America | May 3, 2008 9:58 PM
Well, I guess we now know the text messages from camp obama are a little bit thin tonight.
Obama is the real spoiler.
Hillary is the only one left who can win and you know it.
So why would you attack her?
WERE YOU GUYS READING NEWSPAPERS IN THE 90's--maybe when your mama took away the cell phone (she's voting for Hillary by the way--and would a voted for Barack EXCEPT SHE READS NEWSPAPERS AND KNOWS THE GUY IS NOT FOR REAL!.
What was wrong with Clinton was in office, the peace or the prosperity?
Posted by: Obama = SPOILER | May 3, 2008 10:05 PM
Obviously, the democratic process for determining their nominee needs to be revised. Here is a good read:
http://airitoutwithgeorge.blogspot.com/2008/05/obama-and-clinton-split-guams-4.html
Posted by: GDW | May 3, 2008 10:08 PM
Clinton forgot to mention her recent pander to the people in Guam on the right to vote. Apparently she forgot she actually made the same pander to the people of Guam for Bill Clinton there in 1992.
Posted by: Deward Bowles | May 3, 2008 10:09 PM
'The seven people who put Obama over the top are voters, not a rounding error.
Posted by: Iris | May 3, 2008 10:46 PM
Actually, Hillary was never leading in Guam.
Obama was supposed to take Guam by 65% of the vote, a 3-1 split. CNN is reporting that Obama underperformed and was expected to do better. Aww, well... that's the same sentiment growing across mainland USA too.
I heard Obama outspent Hillary 5-1 in Guam - he had offices, volunteers, and TV ads. Winning by 7 votes? That's a pretty bad return, lol.
Clinton '08.
Posted by: Jen | May 3, 2008 10:59 PM
actually, in a lot of polls Obama was ahead by quite a margin!!!
Posted by: get out of the kitchen | May 3, 2008 11:05 PM
Amen, Your Mama's Votin for Hillary! Agreed 100%
Posted by: charles NJ | May 3, 2008 11:09 PM
Yet another example of unbiased reporting - Obama wins and the Pander-Bear gets the benefit of a "split decision" and a blubbering, pandering zephyr of hot air that takes half the text of the "news" piece. The media in this nation are shameless.
Posted by: Paul | May 3, 2008 11:54 PM
Oh, BTW "Mama," although it was called a caucus, it really was a primary. Voters cast secret ballots at 21 designated polling places across the small island that were open all day until 8:00PM. Sounds like a primary to me.
Posted by: KPO'M | May 4, 2008 12:08 AM
There's not much on "expectations" in Guam except I saw this article a month ago that said Clinton was favored.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=25945&s=rcmp
Of course, Shailagh Miller of the Washington Post is saying that Obama hoped to win by 11 points, so who knows?
Posted by: KPO'M | May 4, 2008 12:16 AM
I love the fuzzy Clinton Math--I win because I got less votes? HMMMM? Sounds like the old phrase:
Figures don't lie, liars figure!"
Thanks HC
Posted by: Anonymous | May 4, 2008 12:21 AM
Gotta love the Hillary math! Barack wins in number of votes cast, and it's either a "split decision" or a "hillary win," depending on which biased source you listen to.
It's a win for Obama! He gets the bragging rights! No split decision at all!
Posted by: wanakee | May 4, 2008 12:33 AM
Obama was reported to be favored by 11%. The fact that Hillary tied him means Obama is going down FAST!
Go Hillary
Posted by: Ellen | May 4, 2008 12:37 AM
A win is a win not a split decision.
Biased reporting, shame on you.
Posted by: cisca | May 4, 2008 1:28 AM
I was in Guam recently...they don't believe in global warming, it's hot there all the time.... huge bugs too.
Other than Guam being a great base in W.W.2--- who cares about Guam and that Obama won by 7 votes.....I don't.....do you?
Maybe they didn't hear about Rev. Wright yet, or William Ayers...who knows, it's hot in Guam...very hot.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | May 4, 2008 1:48 AM
How is this a surprise? Guam is filled with darkies getting a handout from the White man's government. That's like saying that Obama is leading among residents of the CHA.
Besides, winning Guam is like being the world's tallest midget.
http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx ...
Posted by: Lynch M All | May 4, 2008 1:49 AM
It had been reported for the past few weeks Obama had the lead in Guam...tied it in with his Hawaii years as a teen (geographically wierd). So looks like the news for the month of April got to Guam. The swift rise in Feb. of an unknown, un-vetted, "hope" of a man has seen a huge slump of late. Obama has lost his "new car smell"....so glad Guam got wind of that. Obama has been projected to win it considerably.
Posted by: Debra | May 4, 2008 1:51 AM
Funny how there are five HUNDRED spoiled ballots from a Clinton stronghold area in Guam. Who had PAID "organizers" in Guam? Why, Obama did.
I think a recount is in order. Maybe a few of those "spoiled" ballots aren't so spoiled after all. That's a ridiculously high number considering the total vote count.
Posted by: Clinton | May 4, 2008 2:58 AM
what further proof does anyone need that obama is a loser and Hillary is a winner? obama keeps outspending hillary by three to one and he still cannot win ! it is over obama ! get out of the race now and stop hurting the democrat party ! all democrats must now support the only democrat with a chance to beat the republicans, Hillary Clinton! obama has yet to actually win a battleground state. he has yet to win any primary since february 5. he ran unopposed for the state senate. he ran against noone for u.s. senate unless you count the import keyes. the ten caucuses he picked up where uncontested by hillary in a display of sportsmanship. so obama has yet to win anything. it is now time to end this race and obama should get out of the race now! Hillary is the only winner for the fall. America can only win with Hillary. Indiana and North Carolina will once again prove beyond any doubt that obama cannot win. he cannot close the deal. americans have made up there minds and definitly do not want obama. since Hillary is the proven winner of the democrats primary season it is time to ratify the decision of millions of actual voters and select Hillary as our nominee.Hillary needs to start her selection process for vice-president. obama has so damaged himself with his amatuer hour campaign and his controversial past that he can no longer be considered for vice-president or for any post in the Clinton whitehouse. obama needs to do the honorable thing and get out, go home and try to rehabilitate himself for the future because he has blown any small chance he had. Hillary has shown the world that America is ready for a woman president and Hillary has shown us all that she will be a tough iron lady in the tradition of margaret thatcher. the world will tremble before the iron lady of America, not laugh at the weakness of mccain and obama. every democrat ,independant, and republican needs to support Hillary to send obama a clear message that America does not want him. Go Hillary ! Hillary is the savior of the nation ! GOD BLESS AMERICA ! THANK GOD FOR HILLARY CLINTON !
Posted by: kevin | May 4, 2008 3:39 AM
The trend continues, Obama apparently wins by 7 votes, hundreds of ballots are not counted in a pro Hillary enclave, and the pro Obama people want to claim they won in a landslide.
Some things never change.
Posted by: Alessandro Machi | May 4, 2008 3:39 AM
The American Version of
Margaret Thatcher (a strong
woman who reaches the top
strictly on her own) will
eventually come along but
in the meantime:
May the next president have the vision
to lead the nation in peace
while stimulating the economy
toward a productivity increase,
While keeping our armed forces powerful and strong.
May he also provide motivation
by his wise words and deeds
that will provide positive inspiration to the great nation
that he also skillfully leads...
in thankful praise and song.
To God Be The Glory
Posted by: Roland Brad, Chicago, USA | May 4, 2008 5:41 AM
He won by seven votes. I'm shocked you guys in the press aren't calling this a landslide victory for the Messiah.
Posted by: Mike in Chicago | May 4, 2008 7:56 AM
Bush picked up a split decision? Do you realize that Obama won majority of the vote and Clinton did not? The standard of the US News media diminishes everyday.
Posted by: diogu | May 3, 2008 9:33 PM
Democratic primaries aren't Winner-Take All. So percentages do matter. So that means that when the Messiah won Guam by a whopping 7 votes it was a virtual tie.
Posted by: MJ | May 4, 2008 8:46 AM
can somebody explain to me why this place even has a vote???
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | May 4, 2008 8:53 AM
who cares about Guam
Posted by: Paulo | May 4, 2008 1:48 AM
Another of the "great" Americans. Who's unAmerican?
Posted by: bill r. | May 4, 2008 9:32 AM
THERE IS A PATTERN TO THIS GUY'S 'WINS' THROUGHOUT THIS PRIMARY.
END THE DRAMA VOTE OBAMA?
NO! END THE THIEVERY! VOTE FOR HILLARY!
Posted by: 500 'spoiled' Clinton votes? | May 4, 2008 10:20 AM
I seem to recall from some article that Obama's strategy was to get his supporters to vote early, thereby making it seem that he had an overwhelming lead and thus discouraging later voters from making the effort. That's what seem to be happening here as the early returns from Guam as some of the posters noted on the various blogs were Obama winning by a landslide. I think that Obama is counting on the university and college votes to do the same in Indiana and North Carolina. If Guam's pattern holds true, Obama could be in trouble since it seems to indicate that his strategy may no longer be working as well since older voters are voting despite earlier returns.
Posted by: dymoy | May 4, 2008 10:24 AM