"Despite confusion, Nebraska Democrats say caucuses a huge success"

[Tweed]

http://www.columbustelegram.com/articles/2008/02/10/ap-state-ne/d8unpj580.txt

'OMAHA, Neb. - Although Nebraska's first Democratic presidential caucuses led to some glitches, scattered complaints and a bit of confusion, they also brought something rarely seen in this overwhelmingly Republican state _ a candidate to its soil.

That itself made the spectacle a success in the mind of Vince Powers, a national committeeman for the party who came up with the idea for Nebraska to caucus.

"For me, whether it was the primary or whether it was the caucus, I just wanted a presidential candidate in Nebraska," Powers said. "And the only vehicle to do it was to be relevant in the selection process, and it obviously worked."

Sen. Barack Obama visited the state on Thursday, attracting more than 10,000 people to a rally in downtown Omaha.

The enthusiasm carried to Saturday, as Obama finished with double the support of his rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Obama won 16 of Nebraska's 24 national delegates.'