Obama taking some time off

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands - March 24, 2008 The Obama family was greeted at the airport Sunday by Gov. John deJongh and his family before beginning a few days of vacation in the U.S. territory, government spokesman Jean Greaux said Monday.

"The general feeling is we're quite fortunate that Senator Obama views the territory as a place where he can take in some rest and relaxation," Greaux said.

Obama was keeping such a low profile that his presidential campaign would not say where he is staying. Local officials also were mum.

An official at Government House in the capital, Charlotte Amalie, would only confirm that Obama was in St. Thomas, the most populated of the islands. Tourists said they saw him relaxing on the beach Sunday at a resort hotel there.

On Monday, the hotel's general manager escorted a photojournalist from the premises, saying he wanted to make sure his guests could relax.

The Illinois senator - who was born and raised on another island, Hawaii - is popular in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Last month, the territory gave him three delegates in the race for the Democratic nomination. Rival Hillary Rodham Clinton did not win a delegate at the caucuses. Six superdelegates will go to the August national convention; four back Clinton and two favor Obama.

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