Democratic fight heads to Pacific with Guam count.

Guam caucus is today...

Reuters US Online Report Top News

May 03, 2008 10:13 EST

HAGATNA, Guam (Reuters) - Counting in Guam's Democratic primary stretched into Sunday after residents of the tiny U.S. territory turned out in record numbers to choose between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

"It's a huge turnout compared to previous elections," Herbie Perez, chairman of the party's nominating committee, told Reuters.

The final result is not expected until around 3 a.m. (1 p.m. EDT).

With only four electoral votes at the Democratic convention at stake, the contest on Guam, a Pacific island more than 20 hours by plane from Washington, will barely register in the protracted duel for the party's presidential ticket.

Democratic officials estimate well over 5,000 people voted in Saturday's election. During the last primary in 2004 only 1,500 people took part.

Counting at Guam's legislature was being done by hand and, so far, more than 300 ballots have been tallied with more than 200 for Obama.

"I'm dead tired but my mind is awake," said Derrick Muna Quinata, a car salesman who was waiting for counting to finish. The 28-year-old said he had voted for Obama.

Guam's residents cannot vote in the presidential election but the territory, which is less than a fifth of the size of the smallest U.S. state of Rhode Island, sends eight delegates with half a vote each to the Democratic convention in August.

Neither candidate got to Guam, a U.S. territory since 1898, but both called into radio stations to emphasize their affinity with an island many Americans have never heard of.

Clinton reminded voters about her multiple visits during stopovers on presidential trips with her husband, Bill, to Asia and Obama emphasized his Pacific connections through his upbringing in Hawaii and Indonesia.

Some islanders, thrilled finally to be in the spotlight, hastily joined the party just so they could take part in the process, leading to the moniker "Democrat for a Day."

"A lot of people were confused by the process," said Robert Lizama, a local mayor. "It's brought a lot of awareness and participation. I think that's important.

"We can't vote for president, but this is our part of the process." More on the story.

On a side note: The 2008 Guam Republican caucuses, also called the Guam state convention, took place on March 8, 2008. The approximately 500 people who attended the convention chose six delegates to represent Guam at the 2008 Republican National Convention. John McCain won all six of the delegates. The caucuses were tentatively February 16, 2008 but later changed.