Culinary Union

January 19, 2008 - 12:48pm

Obama doesn't dominate the strip

By James W. Pindell, Politicker.com Editor and Alex Isenstadt, Politicker.com Reporter

Supporters of Barack Obama cheer before the start of a caucus at the Bellagio January 19, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bellagio is one of the nine hotel-casinos being used as a caucus site for the first time: Getty Images Photo
LAS VEGAS -- This at-large precinct at Caesar's Palace the signs of Barack Obama's defeat and Hillary Clinton's win in the state became obvious.

With the backing of the perceived powerful Culinary Union, who have enrolled tens of thousands of casino workers, these at-large precincts were supposed to be very pro-Obama.

But they weren't.

In fact at this location Obama collected 17 delegates and Clinton 16 delegates. Edwards was a total non-factor here.

At the Paris hotel Clinton even defeated Obama by 2-1.

Martha Martinez, a room service worker at Caesar's, explained why she voted for Clinton.