HAGATNA, Guam — Supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama are gathering at caucuses in Guam to pick among national convention delegates pledged to each of them.

Four regular delegate votes and two superdelegate positions are at stake at daylong polls today at about 20 caucus sites around the island. The U.S. Pacific territory is 8,000 miles from Washington and a day ahead on the clock.

Party officials expected more than 3,000 voters to sign up as Democrats at community centers, schools, an old fire station and a village gym.

This time, Obama and Clinton made their case for the territory's four regular delegates with local advertising and long-distance interviews.

Clinton and Obama pitched improved healthcare and economic opportunity as they courted Guam voters from afar for the territory's Democratic presidential caucuses.

Guam Democrats set up about 20 caucus sites in community centers, schools, an old fire station and a village gym for a day of decision that usually passes without much notice in Washington.

Not this time. In the protracted race for the nomination, no contest is being ignored.

Voters in Inarajan, nestled in the island's southeast corner, voted earlier because the town is holding its annual fiesta today. Their votes were not to be opened until polling closes at midnight last night.

HEALTH PLANS

Both Clinton and Obama say they've got the better health plan for Guamanians.

Obama said yesterday he would support re-examination of a $5.4 million Medicaid spending limit imposed on the territory. Clinton's husband, former President Clinton, told KUAM radio earlier that his wife would work to remove the cap.

Hillary Clinton also has called for Guamanians to be able to vote in presidential elections.

Obama, in a phone interview with the Pacific Daily News this week, said his administration would work with Guam officials to help bring more medical providers to the island.

"We've got to make sure that our Medicaid spending, generally, is designed more effectively, so that we can save money, waste less, and that way we can make sure that Guam and the territories are adequately funded," Obama said.

KNOWING ISLAND NEEDS

He said he had spent time with a U.S. military unit from Guam on a trip to Africa and told voters that his Hawai'i roots make him "especially sensitive" to the needs of islanders.

The Clinton campaign pledged that the New York senator, if elected president, would appoint a senior adviser to the defense secretary to help Guam plan for the arrival of 8,000 U.S. Marines and their dependents. The Pentagon expects to transfer them from Okinawa by 2014.