Obama wins Virgin Islands w/ 90% of the Vote

Wow - this is a huge victory. And even though the Virgin Islands are small, they still offer valuable delegates. Obama has taken these delegates in a resounding fashion - with over 9/10 of the total vote in the caucuses!

According to reports from Yahoo News,

Sen. Barack Obama won caucuses in Nebraska and Washington state and moved ahead in the Louisiana primary Saturday night, slicing into Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's slender delegate lead in their historic race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The Illinois senator also won caucuses in the Virgin Islands with nearly 90 percent of the vote.

Wow - I wish there were more news reports out of the Virgin Islands. I'm fired up!

•  Tips/flames

  It's a good night to be fired up.

  by scimitar on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:09:38 PM PDT

  •  Good catch!

    Don't forget the Islands!!

    by mayan on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:10:51 PM PDT

    •  Don't forget

      the Virgins!

      by internationaljock on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:20:43 PM PDT

      •  wise

        virgins....

        by carlyle4 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:25:59 PM PDT

      •  Every little bit helps

        We'll have the Islands if they'll have us:

        

        by Jeff Y on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:28:02 PM PDT

        •  We love you US Virgin Islands....:-)

          We just spent two weeks there.
          I encourage everyone to go.
          Just shear utter beauty.

          This is saint thomas and saint john.
          I miss my views.
          But Oh how they loved Obama on those islands.
          We met a lot of natives..they love discussing politics.
          They are so bummed they can't vote in the presidential election - but their support for Barack was really great to hear.
          Did not meet one HIllary supporter - so based on my tiny sampling, I was like we got this one locked up.

          

          

          

          

          by Christin on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:57:09 PM PDT

          •  Oh man, I want to be there!!!

            Looks like heaven, and they voted for my candidate, so it's looking extra nice tonight!

            by bethcf4p on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:47:13 PM PDT

      •  LOL!!

        Hmmmm...when is CNN going to do a glossy demographics chart based upon sexual experience?

        by mayan on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:28:42 PM PDT

      •  and Pres Clinton was always popular with virgins

        nt

        by Titans on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:40:49 PM PDT

        •  And, er, vice-versa ;) {d} {N/T}

          by grndrush on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:30:40 PM PDT

  •  I. Don't. Know.

    I. Don't. Know.

    I don't know where I'm a going to go when the volcano  blows.

    I'm fired up too!

    by Democrat on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:47:24 PM PDT

  •  This could foreshadow DC, which has 21 delegates

    The only question about the District's primary is whether Obama will exceed 85% and thus keep Hillary not viable. It is probably on the unlikely side, but I think possible.

    by The Bagof Health and Politics on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:53:09 PM PDT

    •  I'd say LIKELY

      Just looking at the demographics of DC, and how the demographics have split to this point in others primaries. I'd take a even-money bet in a NY minute (and I don't gamble!).

      by grndrush on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:39:33 PM PDT

  •  Do I smell smoke?

    Obama is on FIRE, and the Democratic turnout has consistently dwarfed the GOP turnout, if I'm not mistaken, inn every single primary to this point.

    I KNOW better than to get overconfident at this point, but things look bright enough at this point that I just might need sunglasses.  :)

    by grndrush on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:29:21 PM PDT

•  Cool

  I guess he gets all 3 delegates then?

  3 delegates is a lot compared to the margins in big states that nearly tied.

  by Troutnut on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:10:49 PM PDT

  •  yup

    that would mean that Clinton failed to meet the 15% threshold required to get any pledged delegates -so Obama would walk away with all the delegates... very nice!

    by terjeanderson on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:20:52 PM PDT

  •  but at the convention

    USVI will have a total of six votes with the superdelegates included.

    by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:32:14 PM PDT

  •  Good point! eom

    by bethcf4p on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:47:56 PM PDT

  •  Taken together with the other races

    today, it's a definite psychological victory. That might be worth as much at this point as 3 (or 6) delegates.

    by grndrush on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:33:29 PM PDT

•  heh heh

  4 for 4 so far

  Wonder how Maine will go tomorrow? HRC is not going to be looking so confident in OH and TX (especially OH) if Obama sweeps everything going in.

  by JMS on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:10:56 PM PDT

•  Ahh. Wish I was there

  !

  by GW Chimpzilla on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:11:00 PM PDT

  •  Ooohhhhh yes.

    I wish I was lying sitting at a bar in Cruz Bay... watching the moon on the water.

    by nicejoest on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:16:54 PM PDT

    •  I'm thinking about

      my favorite little beach bar Off the Wall on St. Croix. Sigh.

      by Lovo on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:26:53 PM PDT

      •  Or Skinny Legs

        In Coral Bay.
        Great spot, those V.I.!

        by twcollier on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:41:17 PM PDT

•  YES!!!!

  I shall call my travel agent and look into a vacation in the great VIRGIN ISLANDS!

  by ToxicTidepool on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:11:25 PM PDT

  •  re:I Wish

    Kucinich would demand a recount.  I'd go help.

    by deminva on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:22:02 PM PDT

  •  We'll be expecting you

    ... say about Tuesday? :)

    by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:58:39 PM PDT

•  The Islands

  Great place to visit and now just another reason why.

  by oak510 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:11:36 PM PDT

•  Love it!

  My fantasy is to live in St. John.

  by srkp23 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:12:17 PM PDT

  •  omg...I just said that!

    I am longing for the beach! It's supposed to be -4 tomorrow here in Chicago. Ugh.

    by Elise on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:13:34 PM PDT

    •  Read 'em and weep.

      It was 79 today in Los Angeles.

      A beautiful day for a VICTORY!

      by internationaljock on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:22:22 PM PDT

    •  go go go go there!

      and if you do....ask me where to stay! :-)
      i just posted some pics upthread.
      we spent two weeks there in january.
      i fell in love with saint john.
      i want to go back tomorrow.
      and we actually have expat kossaks who live in saint thomas...and who support obama.
      where's Caneel?
      I am so jealous.

      by Christin on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:59:12 PM PDT

      •  Here I am

        Weather forecast for tomorrow is sunny, breezy and pleasant, high of 83 degrees with ESE winds at 16 mph (very cool tropical breezes).

        No surprise about VI delegates. Obama's been very popular here.

        by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:35:30 PM PDT

        •  thanks caneel.

          thanks for the weather update.
          thanks.
          for nothing.

          by Christin on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:59:44 PM PDT

          •  Sorry ...

            it's just that it's so beautiful ... so very beautiful at this time of the year, I get carried away.

            by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:56:07 PM PDT

            •  tell me about it.

              on the other hand.
              no.
              don't.
              :-)
              spring is coming.
              mu pussywillow is budding.
              so there!

              by Christin on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 11:27:34 PM PDT

        •  Hi Caneel!

          I was wondering where you were. :) I just recently had a lovely vacation at Maho Bay in St. John. Love it that it was a landslide for Obama!

          by srkp23 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:05:27 PM PDT

          •  Glad you had a great time!

            Next time, do e-mail me.

            by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:54:55 PM PDT

  •  scimitar

    Just amazing.  Not only the results but the fact you shared them with us before the MSM.  Go Obama!!!

    by pamelabrown on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:13:40 PM PDT

  •  St. John is one of my favorite places in the

    world....

    Meet me at Shipwreck Landing next time we're both there!

    by nicejoest on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:21:39 PM PDT

    •  Cool! ... and let's go for a snorkel

      at Waterlemon Cay.

      by srkp23 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:23:20 PM PDT

      •  One of the most beautiful places

        I've ever been to.

        Also the only place I've ever been where someone shouted out "shark! shark!" and everyone went in to the water to take a look (it was just a small sand shark).

        -dms

        by dmsilev on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:33:28 PM PDT

        •  Never seen a sand shark there

          or black tip.  But have seen nurse shark. They're cool! and who doesn't love the sea turtles?

          by srkp23 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:17:33 PM PDT

          •  Sea turtles at Salt Bay

            One of my fond memories -- of many from St. John!

            by twcollier on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:43:28 PM PDT

          •  The sea turtles were the best

            We only saw them a couple of times, but that was so neat to watch. Especially underwater, watching them graze on sea grass.

            -dms

            by dmsilev on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 04:04:18 AM PDT

•  Tonight was a SWEEP!

  Things are looking good, folks. Let's keep it up!

  by haruki on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:12:20 PM PDT

•  90%?!?!

  Jeez.

  by turneresq on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:13:06 PM PDT

  •  90% = Yes we can! nt

    by Elise on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:13:58 PM PDT

  •  Expect DC to have similar numbers

    by chicagovigilante on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:25:45 PM PDT

    •  I don't think so, but

      the numbers will be plenty good enough.

      (Note my handle . . . . )

      by Rita in DC on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:31:54 PM PDT

      •  Hey, Rita :-)

        Glad to see you posting again.

        by Bouwerie Boy on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:34:22 PM PDT

        •  Thanks, BB! Glad to see you too. (n/t)

          by Rita in DC on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:46:38 PM PDT

•  Man, how does that happen? A 9 to 1 blowout!

  I didn't think it was possible given her name recognition and the meme that Hillary gets the majority the females over 35 years of age.

  All I can say is thank you, Virgin Islands.

  Gobama!

  by Involuntary Exile on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:14:50 PM PDT

  •  Virgin Islands were formerly sugar plantations

    Massive African-American population there, which probably had something to do with it.

    But even though, Obama usually wins the African-American vote by 'only' 85-15% or so.

    by Michiganliberal on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:20:53 PM PDT

•  What a Wonderful World

  Thank you!

  by leema on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:18:02 PM PDT

•  90 percent

  that's better than most military dictators can muster!

  by gobacktotexas on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:20:07 PM PDT

  •  And the other 10%

    went to Gravel!

    by internationaljock on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:24:23 PM PDT

•  I just think it's funny

  Totally funny.

  by rikyrah on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:21:08 PM PDT

•  Git out yer brooms, it's a sweep ladies and gents

  Wow, what a wonderful evening!

  by 7November on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:23:05 PM PDT

•  How many delegates?

  And what's the expected split?

  by nautilus1700 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:23:22 PM PDT

  •  If it is 90-10

    Obama should win all three delegates.

    by chicagovigilante on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:24:17 PM PDT

    •  Woot!

      That evens out the American Samoa votes nicely!

      by nautilus1700 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:25:01 PM PDT

    •  depends if one of the islands got 15%

      if so, it may be a 2.5 to 0.5 split since their delegates get half a vote and each island has 3 delegates.

      by FleetAdmiralJ on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:34:30 PM PDT

  •  Three delegates

    Either 2-1 or 3-0

    Still too early

    by JohnnyAppleseed on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:24:55 PM PDT

    •  Does the 15% rule apply in the V.I.?

      If so, Obama should take all.

      by nautilus1700 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:25:42 PM PDT

      •  I believe so n/t

        by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:01:39 PM PDT

  •  The Virgin Islands has 6 "delegates"

    But each has half a vote, so it may turn out that Obama wins 2.5-0.5 or something like that.

    by Michiganliberal on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:40:00 PM PDT

    •  Thanks, Michiganliberal

      I was just going to post that.

      Apparently it's a 3-0 result, since Clinton didn't break 15%.

      by javelina on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:15:27 PM PDT

•  Now he needs to go there for a vacation!

  by slinkerwink on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:25:56 PM PDT

  •  Wait till Hawaii votes n/t

    by benb on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:29:05 PM PDT

•  I thought CNN was rather crass in describing

  these voters...they have a voice just like all of us.

  Thank you Virgin Islands!

  by valadon on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:34:13 PM PDT

  •  Not exactly

    They can't vote in the presidential election.

    by Shane Hensinger on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:37:31 PM PDT

    •  they voted today

      by valadon on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:38:44 PM PDT

      •  Yes, and I am happy they did! n/t

        by Shane Hensinger on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:39:29 PM PDT

        •  me too Shane

          I just hate it when they take people for granted.

          by valadon on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:41:07 PM PDT

•  wins all 3 delegates, and is a great victory

  and provides a greater delegate margin for Obama(+3)than New Hampshire, Nevada and Missouri combined(+1?).

  I honestly can't believe that the Clintons just give up delegates in spades this way. They are truly running the traditional campaign, but Obama is on another level.

  by mihan on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:34:25 PM PDT

  •  I don't think Clinton ever had a chance there.

    The Virgin Islands are overwhelmingly African-American.  

    by Michiganliberal on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:41:12 PM PDT

    •  her strategy

      what I find funny about her strategy, and this is true with the VI as well as anywhere, is that when she's losing all these states by 30% or more, her campaign scoffs that they aren't really trying to win that state!

      Well, hey, that's one heck of a campaign strategy. I wonder why more candidates haven't tried that.

      by mihan on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:47:47 PM PDT

      •  They have.

        There were two this year: Rudy Giuliani, and John McCain (though he only did that in Iowa and Nevada).

        by Michiganliberal on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:50:26 PM PDT

    •  report from the Island

      My friend called tonight to report that on St Thomas there were equal numbers of Hill and Obama supporters  present- there was great excitement all around, and my non-African descent Virgin Islander friend was ecstatic to vote for Obama!

      by peacevoice on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:03:13 PM PDT

    •  Obama wins over VI

      ... despite vast affinity for Bill and Hillary Clinton, who twice visited for some vacation time on St. Thomas.

      They once waded to the popular beach, Magens Bay beach, and mixed in with the beachgoers. Created quite a stir and much fondness for them.

      That Obama's something special to the VI populace outweighed relationship with the Clintons.

      by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:06:18 PM PDT

•  Virgins for Barack!

  Sorry, just had to say it...

  by oscarsmom on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:37:17 PM PDT

  •  LOL - that's funny :-) n/t

    by Shane Hensinger on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:37:52 PM PDT

•  four for four

  say it.  It's fun!!!

  by AlyoshaKaramazov on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:44:53 PM PDT

•  I disagree that this is huge.

  But it's still great. Woooo!

  by Blondebeard on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:59:48 PM PDT

•  Geez!

  90% of the vote.  Well that completes the complete crush of Clinton for tonight.

  by noofsh on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:09:44 PM PDT

•  Tim Duncan says Go Obama!

  Ok, maybe not, but he's the most famous person from the Virgin Islands!  ;)

  by mconvente on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:14:44 PM PDT

  •  Peter Holmberg

    http://www.worldmatchracingtour.com/...

    Boxers Julian Jackson and Emile Griffith

    http://en.wikipedia.org/...

    http://en.wikipedia.org/...

    Ambassador Terence Todman

    http://www.answers.com/...

    by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:51:11 PM PDT

•  islanders rock.

  by kubrick2008 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:39:24 PM PDT

  •  I know! :) n/t

    by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:51:46 PM PDT

•  Waited hours for this

  to turn up ... not many news outlets on a weekend.

  Obama Racks Up Big Win in V.I. Caucus

  http://www.onepaper.com/...

  by Caneel on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 08:54:49 PM PDT

•  Wil this strong showing in the Virgin Islands

  help Obama with the abstinence only sex education crowd?

  by jazzmaniac on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:06:13 PM PDT

•  Big Support in the V.I

  My family is from St Croix and they are huge BO supporters so this is great news. Hopefully in the future the USVI can get the right to vote for president.

  by Littledevil8701 on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 09:20:18 PM PDT