Obama Defeats Clinton in Maine Caucuses

Feb 10, 7:04 PM  (ET)

By GLENN ADAMS
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Barack Obama defeated  Hillary Rodham Clinton in Maine 
presidential caucuses Sunday, grabbing a  majority of delegates as the state's 
Democrats overlooked the snowy weather and  turned out in heavy numbers for 
municipal gatherings.
Democrats in 420 Maine  towns and cities were deciding how the state's 24 
delegates will be allotted at  the party's national convention in August. Despite 
the weather, turnout was  "incredible," party executive director Arden 
Manning said.
With 70 percent of  the participating precincts reporting, Obama led in state 
delegates elected over  Clinton, 1,564 to 1,122, with 17 uncommitted.
The voting came a day after  Obama and Clinton made personal appeals here, 
and after Obama picked up wins in  Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information.  
AP's earlier story is below.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Democrats overlooked the  snowy weather and turned out 
in heavy numbers for municipal caucuses Sunday,  giving Barack Obama a slight 
lead over Hillary Rodham Clinton in early tallies  for the party's party 
presidential nominee.
Democrats in 420 Maine towns and  cities were deciding how the state's 24 
delegates will be allotted at the  party's national convention in August. Despite 
the weather, turnout was  "incredible," party executive director Arden 
Manning said.
With 11 percent of  the participating precincts reporting, Obama had a narrow 
lead over clinton  Clinton, 175 to 168, with four uncommitted.
The voting came a day after Obama  and Clinton made personal appeals here, 
and after Obama picked up wins in  Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington.
Organizers had expected heavy  participation at the caucuses, but up to 8 
inches of snow and Arctic cold were  expected when many of the gatherings were 
scheduled. Even so, Democrats started  Sunday with more than 4,000 absentee 
ballots in hand.
Manning said the  weather wouldn't hurt turnout. In Bangor, the caucus 
started late because so  many people showed up that they were lined up outside the 
door, he said.
In  Portland, waterlogged Democrats carrying "Obama" and "Hillary" signs 
waited to  get into the citywide caucus at Portland High School in separate lines 
that  snaked nearly three city blocks in opposite directions.
Colin Johnson, an  Obama supporter, said the Illinois senator is not a 
typical politician. "I'm  convinced he's a once-in-a-generation leader," he said.
"He's young and  energetic and Washington and the White House could benefit 
from some fresh air,"  said Joe Lewis, another Obama supporter.
But Tony Donovan said Obama can use  some more seasoning. Donavan was 
supporting Clinton because she, like him, was a  baby boomer who shared similar 
values and because she has the experience and the  team to lead in Washington.
"Obama's a great guy. He'll be great in eight  years," Donovan said. "He 
doesn't have the experience in the Senate. He doesn't  have the experience in 
Washington. He's not ready."
Though Maine's delegate  count is small, Clinton and Obama, along with 
surrogates, came to the state  Saturday as their campaigns drew tighter after Super 
Tuesday.
Thousands of  people packed the Bangor Auditorium to hear Obama on Saturday 
and hundreds more  who weren't allowed inside greeted him as he arrived. People 
also were stopped  at the door as Clinton held a town hall-style gathering 
nearby at the University  of Maine at Orono. She later stopped in Lewiston.
Clinton's daughter,  Chelsea, and husband, Bill, also visited, while Obama 
supporter Sen. Edward M.  Kennedy of Massachusetts campaigned in two cities in 
the days before the  vote.
Both campaigns hit Maine heavily with radio and TV advertising, and  voters' 
homes were being called with pre-taped messages in support of both  
candidates. On Sunday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of  Rhode 
Island and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic  presidential 
candidate, were scheduled to visit Maine caucuses on Obama's  behalf.
On Clinton's side, Maine Gov. John Baldacci, Massachusetts Rep. Jim  McGovern 
and New York Rep. Gregory Meeks were to campaign.
The high level of  excitement across the state contrasted with earlier 
expectations that the  post-Super Tuesday timing of the caucuses would dampen voter 
interest.
A  competitive GOP race a week earlier also helped to enliven interest in the 
Maine  Republicans nonbinding caucuses, which were won by Mitt Romney. He 
dropped out  of the race last week, making it likely that Arizona Sen. John 
McCain would  become the GOP nominee. 
 



**************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.     
(http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp003000000025
48)

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html

To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤