Fri, Jul 18 2008
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Published February 05, 2008 09:21 pm - TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Overflow crowds gathered for the Democratic presidential caucuses in Kansas Tuesday, as the intense race nationally between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton spread to the Republican-leaning Sunflower State. 8:20 p.m. Big turnout marks Kansas Democratic caucusesTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Overflow crowds gathered for the Democratic presidential caucuses in Kansas Tuesday, as the intense race nationally between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton spread to the Republican-leaning Sunflower State. Democrats caucused in 50 sites across the state to determine how to divide up 32 of the state’s 41 delegates to the Democratic National Convention this summer in Denver. At sites in Johnson and Douglas counties, secondary locations were opened up to handle crowds that exceeded expectations despite bad weather in the area. Larry Gates, Kansas Democratic Party chairman, said there were 2,000 to 3,000 attendees at the Lawrence Fairgrounds. He was aware of one overflow crowd at a Unitarian church in Johnson County, where the fire marshal wouldn’t let any more people in. “I’m thrilled by the turnout,” he said. “This is a turnout beyond our expectations, at least in the eastern part of the state.” Several hundred people attended a caucus at Robinson Middle School in Topeka, where organizers set up more than 300 chairs only to see them filled up within half an hour. “We’ve got two great candidates. We’ll be in good shape either way,” said Brie Wilkins, a 30-year-old accountant for the state, who brought her three children. “The whole race is exciting to me.” Obama had the endorsement of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, and she appeared in a television commercial broadcast in the Wichita market. “He’s fresh. He’s new. He’s going to change the status quo,” said Janet Radziejeski, a 54-year-old employee of Washburn University’s bookstore. But dozens of Clinton supporters showed up at the caucus and the two sides chanted campaign slogans back and forth. Dewane Hughes, a 39-year-old delivery driver, said he supported Clinton because “she knows what she’s doing.” He said health care is an important issue to him because he doesn’t have health insurance. “They all say they can do something — but hey, put your money where your mouth is,” Hughes said. “She’s put her money there — time and effort.” State party officials expected at least 10,000 Kansans to participate in caucuses at 50 sites, although winter weather could depress the turnout. Dan Lykins, co-chairman of Clinton’s campaign in Kansas, predicted that Obama would prevail in the state because of the staff and money he has devoted to it. In the Obama camp, spokesman Clark Stevens wouldn’t make a prediction and was concentrating on getting every Kansan possible to the polls. 
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Running mates could come from Missouri or Kansas w/ link to the web site, politico.com ![Add a comment on this story](http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/zope/add_comment.php?section_id=presidential&story_id=local_story_036212138.html&headline=<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/election.gif " Border=0> 8:20 p.m. Big turnout marks Kansas Democratic caucuses&portal_url=http://www.joplinglobe.com&portal=joplinglobe){kind=link}
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