Barack Obama gets big caucus boost from tiny Wyoming
Sunday, 09 Mar 2008 08:26
Another win for Barack Obama, but all is still to play for
United States presidential candidate Barack Obama won over Wyoming's tiny Democrat party in his latest victory over rival Hillary Clinton.
He took the caucus 61 per cent to 38 per cent but emerges only two delegates ahead, winning seven to Ms Clinton's five for the party's convention.
With 2,025 the overall target to win the Democrat nomination, winning over Wyoming could be seen as being of little significance.
The state is the US' least populous, with a population barely reaching over the 500,000 mark.
But Mr Obama's win follows defeats in the much more significant states of Texas and Ohio which kept Ms Clinton in the race and checked the Illinois senator's 11-strong run of straight post-Super Tuesday wins.
The Clinton campaign had sought to downplay its chances in Wyoming but Mr Obama's win nevertheless prevents suggestions the momentum had turned against him.
According to CNN projections Mr Obama now has 1,527 delegates to his name, compared to Ms Obama's 1,428.
Next Tuesday sees Mississippi vote but most attention is now turning to Pennsylvania on April 22nd, which some say could prove decisive.
Both candidates are currently brushing off suggestions they may choose the other as a running-mate, with the Clinton campaign seen as more open to such a proposal.
Mr Obama made his position on the matter clear: "You won't see me as a vice presidential candidate - you know, I'm running for president."
The presumptive Republican nominee, senator John McCain, is turning his attention to the same problem.
Analysts say his age and relatively moderate stance on many of his party's key issues are likely to inform his decision as he seeks opposite qualities to balance the Republican ticket.