Hunt for Delegates Reaches Guam

For proof of the intense, leave-no-stone-unturned race for delegates in the Democratic primary, look no further than Guam, where both presidential campaigns are mounting unprecedented efforts.

The spotlight remains on Indiana and North Carolina ahead of Tuesday's primaries. But with four delegate votes at stake in Saturday's Guam caucus, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are running television and radio ads on Guam-centric issues and the candidates and former President Bill Clinton have called into radio stations to press their cases.

The candidates differ little on issues facing the island territory, so campaign organization could shape the outcome. Both candidates are promoting their personal ties to the island as a result.

Sen. Clinton and her husband are reminding voters about their multiple visits to Guam during stopovers on presidential trips to Asia in the 1990s. "She's been here, and she knows us," says Rena Borja, who is spearheading Sen. Clinton's Guam campaign operation of about 20 volunteers.

Sen. Obama is pointing to his upbringing in Hawaii and Indonesia. "I learned firsthand about the unique issues facing Pacific island communities," he said in a letter to Guam residents that was published in local newspapers.

The Obama campaign has opened an office in Guam, a first for a presidential campaign, and has three paid staffers with personal ties to the island. The Illinois senator won the Hawaii caucus in February 76% to 24%.

Guam doesn't have any electoral votes in presidential elections but will select eight delegates, each with half a vote, in Saturday's caucus. The caucus differs little from a primary because voters can cast ballots all day at polling stations. The election is run by the Democratic Party, which means that voters don't have to be registered with the local election commission.

Guam was acquired by the U.S. after the Spanish-American War in 1898. About a third of residents are Filipino or Pacific Islander, and one third are Chamorro, the indigenous ethnicity. About 7% are white.

Guam is a three-hour flight from Japan, and it can take more than 20 hours to get there from Washington.

link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120969261919261663.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

A win of 63%+ is needed to net one delegate out of Guam. It will be largely ignored in the news, but will be the pre-game show for Tuesday.

:rofl: