Clinton, Obama Push For Last Tex. Delegates

AUSTIN, March 29 -- Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.) scrambled to secure Texas's last remaining Democratic National Convention delegates Saturday as county and Senate-district meetings were conducted across the state.

Clinton and Obama were evenly splitting the day's support in tabulating that went into the night, the latest stage of a process that prompted frustration and challenges from supporters of both candidates. Obama showed strength later in the count after his rival built a 60-40 edge in Saturday's initial results.

About 7,300 delegates were expected to be selected Saturday, and they will decide the final allocation of national convention delegates at a state convention in June.

At large conventions in Houston, Dallas and Austin, arguments erupted and confusion set in as complaints were lodged about the legitimacy of some delegates.

Texas Democrats hold both a presidential primary and caucus. Clinton won the March 4 primary and 65 national convention delegates to Obama's 61. Sixty-seven national convention delegates are at stake in the Texas caucuses.