Obama Finds Support in the Caribbean

Date: Tuesday, November 06, 2007
By: The Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Democrat Barack Obama tapped wealthy fundraisers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Monday during a Caribbean visit.

In St. Thomas, the Democratic presidential candidate attracted more than 100 supporters to a one-hour reception that cost up to $2,300 to attend.

Obama, who represents Illinois in the U.S. Senate, then flew to Puerto Rico for a short meeting with Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila and to greet about 100 people at a fundraiser in the colonial district of Old San Juan.

Obama did not speak to reporters.

Marie Helene Morrow, a local businesswoman who helped organize the visit to Puerto Rico, said the trip was evidence of Obama's interest in the territories. Islanders, who are U.S. citizens, are barred from participating in presidential elections but can vote in primaries.

Before the visit Monday, Obama had collected $37,200 in campaign cash from territory residents who gave amounts exceeding $200, the threshold for itemizing donations, according to the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics. Smaller contributions do not have to be itemized, and impossible to track.

The center's most recent figures show Obama ranked third among Democratic presidential candidates in total contributions from territory donors. He trailed rivals Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-.N.Y., with $111,750, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, with $88,500.

It was not immediately clear how much Obama netted during the fundraising day trip to the U.S. territories. Campaign officials did not return telephone calls for comment.

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