May 2, 2008 12:45 pm US/Eastern
Guam Voters Helping To Pick Democratic Nominee
HAGATNA, Guam (AP) ―
Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama pitched improved health care and economic opportunity as they courted Guam voters from afar for the territory's Democratic presidential caucuses Saturday.
Guam Democrats set up about 20 caucus sites in community centers, schools, an old fire station and a village gym for a day of decision that usually passes without much notice in Washington, 8,000 miles away.
This time, Obama and Clinton made their case for the territory's four convention delegates at stake Saturday with local advertising and interviews. In their protracted race for the nomination, no contest is being ignored.
Voters in Inarajan, nestled in the island's southeast corner, voted earlier because the town is holding its annual fiesta Saturday. Their votes will not be opened until polling closes at 6 a.m. EDT Saturday.
More than 3,000 island residents were expected to take part. Voters can register as Democrats at polling places.
Both Clinton and Obama say they've got the better health plan for Guamanians.
Obama said Friday he would support reexamination of a $5.4 million Medicaid spending limit imposed on the territory. Clinton's husband, former President 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.
Obama, in a phone interview with the Pacific Daily News this week, said his administration would work with Guam officials to help bring more medical providers to the island.
"We've got to make sure that our Medicaid spending, generally, is designed more effectively, so that we can save money, waste less, and that way we can make sure that Guam and the territories are adequately funded," Obama said.
He said he had spent time with a U.S. military unit from Guam on a trip to Africa and told voters that his Hawaii roots make him "especially sensitive" to the needs of islanders.
The Clinton campaign pledged that the New York senator, if elected president, would appoint a senior adviser to the defense secretary to help Guam plan for the arrival of 8,000 U.S. Marines and their dependents. The Pentagon expects to transfer them from Okinawa by 2014.
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