RIVERTON - More than 2,000 people packed into Central Wyoming College's gymnasium today to hear former President Bill Clinton campaign for his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The former president, campaigning in a state where he never fared well as a candidate himself, drew loud, frequent applause during a 35-minute speech. He was accompanied by daughter Chelsea.

"Hillary has no chance to win here unless you turn this into an election," Clinton told the group, noting that Wyoming's Democratic county caucuses on Saturday allow all registered Democrats to express a presidential preference.

Sen. Barack Obama has done better in caucuses than has Hillary Clinton. Her biggest success has been in primary elections.

Bill Clinton is also speaking today in Rock Springs and Laramie. Chelsea Clinton speaks at 2 p.m. at Casper College.

Hillary Clinton and Obama will campaign Friday in the Cowboy State.

Bill Clinton told the Riverton crowd that Wyoming can playing a big role in helping the nation become energy independent, particularly in developing alternative energy such as wind power. He called natural gas "an important transition fuel."

He touted his wife's plan to eliminate tax breaks for the oil industry, saying she would "take $50 million away from special interests and put it into new technology. Wyoming will be a big part of that."

Regarding wind power, Clinton said: "You can make more use of wind, and Wyoming can become completely energy independent."

Clinton also spoke about health care, called for changes to the No Child Left Behind Act, criticized the Bush administration for excessive federal spending, and called for "bringing the troops home" and supporting them after they're here.

President Clinton was introduced by former Gov. Mike Sullivan, a personal friend who served as ambassador to Ireland during the Clinton administration.

Central Wyoming College facilities manager Linda Becker said the crowd, which spilled out of the gymnasium, was three times as big as the college had expected.

Watch for video from the rally later today on trib.com.