: CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - Sen. Barack Obama captured the Wyoming Democratic caucuses Saturday, seizing a bit of momentum in the close, hard-fought race with rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for the party's presidential nomination.
Obama generally has outperformed Clinton in caucuses, which reward organization and voter passion more than do primaries. The Illinois senator has now won 13 caucuses to Clinton's three.
Obama has also shown strength in the Mountain West, winning Idaho, Utah, Colorado and now Wyoming. The two split Nevada, with Clinton winning the popular vote and Obama more delegates.
But Clinton threw some effort into Wyoming, perhaps hoping for an upset that would yield few delegates but considerable buzz and momentum. The New York senator campaigned Friday in Cheyenne and Casper. Former President Clinton and their daughter, Chelsea, also campaigned this week in the sprawling and lightly populated state.
Obama campaigned in Casper and Laramie on Friday, but spent part of his time dealing with the fallout from an aide's harsh words about Clinton and suggestions that Obama wouldn't move as quickly to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq if elected. In Casper, Obama said Clinton had no standing to challenge his position on the war because she had voted to authorize it in 2002.
Clinton, buoyed by big wins in Ohio and Texas last Tuesday, said she faced an uphill fight in Wyoming. Her campaign also holds out little hope for Tuesday's primary in Mississippi, which has a large black population.
Obama had 59 percent, or 4,459 votes, to Clinton's 40 percent, or 3,081 votes, with 22 of 23 Wyoming counties reporting.
Obama won seven delegates and Clinton won five. In the overall race for the nomination, Obama led 1,578-1,468, according to the latest tally by The Associated Press. It will take 2,025 delegates to win the Democratic nomination.
Obama's campaign credited the candidate's message for the win.
"Especially in the intermountain West, people are hungry for something different, people are hungry for someone who's a uniter, who can bring together a coalition of change," said Gabe Cohen, Obama's state director in Wyoming.
Clinton's campaign took heart in their ability to pick up more delegates.
"We knew that Wyoming was an uphill climb and that Senator Obama was expected to win," said Ben Kobren, a spokesman for Clinton's campaign in Wyoming. "We're glad we were able to bring out our grassroots support and come very close in delegates."
Both candidates were looking ahead to the bigger prize - delegate-rich Pennsylvania on April 22.
From the first caucuses of the day, it became clear the state's Democrats were showing up in large numbers. In 2004, a mere 675 people statewide took part in the caucuses.
In Sweetwater County, more than 500 people crowded into a high school auditorium and another 500 were lined up to get inside.
"I'm worried about where we're going to put them all. But I guess everybody's got the same problem," said Joyce Corcoran, a local party official. "So far we're OK. But man, they keep coming."
Party officials struggled with how to handle the overflow crowds. The start of the Converse County caucus was delayed due to long lines.
In Cheyenne, scores of late arrivers were turned away when party officials stopped allowing people to get in line at 11 a.m. EST. A party worker stood at the end of the line with a sign reading, "End of the line. Caucus rules require the voter registration process to be closed at this time."
State party spokesman Bill Luckett said they were obligated to follow its rules as well as those of the Democratic National Committee regarding caucus procedures.
"Everybody knew the registration began over an hour before the caucus was called to order. We've done everything we could to accommodate people in the long lines," Luckett said.
After initially accepting provisional ballots from about 20 people who remained behind at the caucus site, party officials said they and both campaigns had decided not to count those votes. John Millin, state party chair, said doing so would have been unfair to those who had left after being turned away.
In Casper, home of the state party's headquarters, hundreds were lined up at the site of the Natrona County caucus. The location was a hotel meeting room with a capacity of 500. Some 7,700 registered Democrats live in the county.
"We'll have to put 'em in the grass after a while," said Bob Warburton, a local party official.
About 59,000 registered Democrats are eligible to participate in Wyoming's caucuses.
Only in the last few weeks have the campaigns stepped up their presence in Wyoming, opening offices and calling voters and sending mailers.
Although a win in Wyoming may not persuade many superdelegates, it will be one more prize for the candidates as they make their case for the nomination.
Clinton has hinted recently that if she wins the nomination she would consider sharing the ticket with Obama. But in an interview Friday in Wyoming with KTVQ-TV, a CBS affiliate based in Billings, Mont., Obama shied away from that possibility.
"Well, you know, I think it's premature. You won't see me as a vice presidential candidate - you know, I'm running for president," Obama told the television station. "We have won twice as many states as Senator Clinton, and have a higher popular vote, and I think we can maintain our delegate count.
"What I am really focused on right now, because all that stuff is premature, is winning this nomination and changing the country. I think that's what people here are concerned about."
What makes you stupid non-informed people think that Barry Obama's pledged delegate lead is insurmountable? This is politics - not a game of fair and square. In politics anything goes. He has used those tactics in Illinois to be elected to the state legislaturte, where hevoted present over 100 times. Hes used them when he lost in a US House race, and he used them to win his US senate seat two years ago. We all know with 35 years of public service that Hillary knows how to use them. The Democratic nomination will be decided by one of three ways: 1) the Superdelegates, for whom can vote for the ehll they want to, always have been able to, and always will - unless the rules are changed. They didn't just come into existence because of a near dead het between senators Clinton and Obama; 2) a behind the scenes deal is reached between the two historic senators and they come out and announce it; or 3) something unforeseen happens in the race and one or the another delivers knockout blows to the other by winning 65% or more of the pledged delegates in the remaining primary contests of Pennsylvania, Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and the potential do-overs in Florida and Michigan. It ain't over till its over. May I remind everyone that supports Senator Obam that he has not won a single big industrial state in this primary season - all of which are essential to a Democratic nominee in history to winthe nomination and the White House in the general election. Also no primary candidate had ever won the White House without winning Ohio, of which Senator Clinton won. I will admit this is an election season of firsts, but he has double the money war chest that she has, and he still cannot deliver knockout blows in the big states or place where only Democrats can vote. he wins in little caucuses and primaries where Republicans and Independents can crossover and switch to thro things off (albeit Texas may have done that for Hillary). Stay tuned. The end game will be one for the history books and for our lifetimes.
First off, lets all remember that even if he wins every other state left, he still won't have the delegates to be nominated. He needs the super delegates to be put over the top. Next, for all those who keep saying "we", with the name Obama remember, he has yet to say what he plans on doing for Blacks. To date, I have yet to hear him speak on the troubles & problems facing African Americans, or what he plans on doing about them. When it comes down to it, he's just another politician. Full of promises & lies.
RealTalkNDeed Hiliary "barely" won in Ohio and Texas which leads me to believe that the people will have no problem supporting Obama if he won the ticket, and remember all odds are made to be broken because everything is not as it seems...
Ltcmdr49022 if you have not "heard" its because you have not searched for the truth! You spend time on Mediatakeout reading gossip and if this is the only place where you get your news then no you don't know what he has in store for our country..not just afican americas but americans. I encourage you to go to his web site and find out more for yourself...as a matter of fact I will post a few things he supports. Barack came from a single parent family home with a father that he didn't know or wasn't raised by. Please take the time to find out the facts!
"Obama had 59 percent, or 4,459 votes, to Clinton's 40 percent, or 3,081 votes, with 22 of 23 Wyoming counties reporting."
Wow, that's it??? And, that was supposed to be a record for the Democratic primary in the state. Yet over 200,000 people voted in the general election in Wyoming in 2004. I see now what they mean when they say Obama mainly wins the small states that Republicans typically win in the general. If 7500 out of 200,000 people is all they can get to come out for a Democratic primary, this state is not going to matter to the Dems in November.
"To date, I have yet to hear him speak on the troubles & problems facing African Americans, or what he plans on doing about them."
The answer to that is simple. He plans to do nothing. He doesn't need to. He knows he has the black vote in his pocket, no matter what. The only people he needs to keep happy are white Americans. Many a Democratic candidate has lost the election, while still having the black vote, so the black vote doesn't mean anything anymore; it's the white vote that will give him the win.
@RealTalkNDeed
DO THE MATH, Barack Obama is so far ahead of Hillary, that even if Hillary wins every state from now on--she still will not catch Barack Obama’s delegate lead, so yes it is insurmountable. Hillary supporters cannot do math, see the Newsweek article:
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The only way that Hillary can win at this point is by suing her way to the presidency or/and if the superdelegates go against the popular vote and vote for her.
Also many people didn’t vote in Florida and in Michigan because it wasn’t supposed to count, Barack Obama’s name was NOT on the ballot. Hillary is trying to get Florida and Michigan to count even though Hillary name was the only name on the Michigan and Florida ballot, how crazy is that?!
@Ltcmdr49022
We have to remember that he is not going to be president of black people, he is going to be President of the United States. However he has not ignored black folks:
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So if you want to learn more about the candidates and you don’t want to read an article or two or you don’t have time to read, go to their websites.
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What I dont understand is why is Bill even speaking on Hillary behalf, I mean if she claims she shouldbe chosen on experience why cant she speak for her self? Also, technically is she has so much experience from the things done with Bill as president, she technically shouldnt be running now becuase she has completed her 8 years already "technically speaking". I do not trust her one bit, I read people very well and her statements and demeanour tells me all I need to know. She is all for herself. I cant believe people would even consider voting for her because she is so fake. She voted for the current war and did NOT apologize because she has so much ego and then she went recently and voted along with stupid ass President Bush for another war with Iran. So this tells us alot. She isnt really for the people like she claims to be.
Sister Soldier, Dear sista, it is not over till it is over. If you had read my post carefully you would have understood that I gave various scenarios in which things could be decided. I am aware that he is ahead in pledged delegates, but they don';t mean jack squat if neither has 2,024 by the convention in August in Denver. If they do not, or neither has quit the race - then the super delegates wil decide after hearing presentations from both sides. The super delegates can and wikll vote as they damn please. They have no rules or regulations as to how they vote, Super delegates have been in existence since 1980. They were not started this year. Their rules have never changed - they vote as they will in regards for whom they think will be the best candidate with a chance to win against the opposing political party in a general election in November. The super delegates could even choose to go to another candidate, i.e. the Al Gore scenario. So as i said, stay tuned. If Blacks would read up on this process and get informed, they would realize that emotions is not the way to mete out a situation. Look at facts, history. precedent, caus and effect. The bi-racial cadidate Sen. Obama has not one a big state yet, and these states are mandatory for the DEms to have chance in November, BTW. For those of you that think Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. is Black, don't forget the Tomy Bradley factor in the gubnatorial race in California several years back. Caucasians said they would vote for a Black for governor of the state of California - but when they got in the voting booths, they voted for the White candidate. All the polls had Bradley winning the election and becoming California's first Black governor. He lost, and by a pretty large margin. Racism and sexism still exist in America. Both factor in votes cast, and will really play a part in November. I support Sem. Hillary Rodham Clinton's quest to win the nomination. I will support whomever the Democrats nominate at their convention in August, I loathe Republicans.
Sunday 6:55p.m.
Democratic Natl Committee Chair-- Howard Dean is trying to negotiate/broker a deal between the Obama and Clinton camps... Its a stalemate. At this point Hillary cannot WIN.
Obama's only hope is to pull John Edwards as VP...If not, I see all of this being SNATCHED away from the Obama camp!
Yaaayyy!!!
So basically what he said regarding Hillary's "I may let you be my Vice President and wash my car..." is "Eat one!"
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@ dieselpro:
Well said. I've been saying that from the get-go but people have to see it to believe it.
Ever since 9-11 I've FEARED Rudy Guiliani getting into or even near the White House. I knew then he was going to run for President. I also knew that we were going straight back to the war that Bush Sr. began if Bush Jr. got in office, and that's exactly what happened.
I'm no psychic, but my intuition hasn't steered me wrong one time yet. And my intuition (plus the facts) this time tell me that this country's best hope is Obama. And I've always said that McCain in office would be better than Clinton, although I'd rather keep the Republicans out of office for the same reasons you stated.
The whole scenario is interesting though, isn't it?
It kills me--
People are saying "Obama won't deliver" or "he won't do what he says he's gonna do" OR "he doesn't care about us." WTF???
Has ANY president ever delivered 100%? And how did we know that our previous-and current- presidents would do what they promised us Americans during their run for presidency? We didn't know. But we took a chance on them anyway. But, for some odd reason, Obama is getting ragged on something terrible. Give the man a chance.
All I've got left to say is:
OBAMA 2008[SPAM]!!!!!!!!
@HelloGhetto1
that is quite possibly the most ignorant statement the that I have heard all weekend.
I want a good President not a Nicca President. Niccas Do nicca crap.
look at his record. Barack Obama is by no mean a Nicca. he is an educated well versed and intelegent black man.
But you are right about one thing, George W. is the first Nicca Prez.
Im not here to SHOUT @ anoyone but today is the day...
@RealTalkNDeed - bloggers are NOT "STUPID". Which is why I stopped reading your blog after the word "stupid"! Everyone is here to STATE their opinions and it is exactly that an OPINION!!! We should all be respectful of that.
Now that's out of the way - whomever wins this election has to clean up 8 years of BUSH and if it's Obama - God help him!!!
TO ALL YALL HILLARY SUPPORTERS, OBAMA I NOT USING ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED. LIKE HILLARY USED THAT COMMERCIAL AD TO GET VOTES, NEVERLESS, THE LITTLE GIRL IN THAT AD IS A OBAMA SUPPORTER. I BELIEVED THAT THEY STOLE THAT AD EVENTHOUGH THEY SAID THEY PAID FOR IT. DON'T WORRY!! OBAMA IS COMING BACK HARD AND STRONG!! SO GET READY!!
THE SAD THING ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS IF HILLARY WINS THE NOMIMATION SHE HAS A CHANCE TO BE IN THE WHITE HOUSE. BUT LOOK AT HOW THE MEDIA IS PRAISING A BLACK MAN AS POSSIBLE PRESIDENT, TO MAKE EVERY BODY VOTE FOR OBAMA. BUT WHEN HE WINS, THE ATTACK WILL BEGIN AND AMERICA WILL BE FORCE TO VOTE FOR MACAIN A WHITE MAN OR A BLACK MAN. THEN WHEN MACAIN WINS HE WILL PROBALY GET SICK AND HAVE TO RETIRE AND APPOINT JEB BUSH AND HOODWINK US FOR A THIRD TERM.
