the Star-Tribune staff | Posted: Saturday, March 8, 2008 12:00 am
Close to 15,000 people turned out for Democratic campaign events in Wyoming Thursday and Friday.
Just how many of those people were registered Democrats eligible to participate in today's county caucuses isn't known, but Wyoming Democratic Party leaders expect big crowds at the 23 sites around the state.
"We've tried to prepare for the numbers we might see, but there's no way of knowing," said Bill Luckett, the party's communications director. "That's been the challenge across the country this year."
Candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama drew big crowds Friday during appearances in Cheyenne and Casper, and Casper and Laramie, respectively - topped by around 6,000 for Obama at the University of Wyoming's Arena-Auditorium Friday night. That followed a total turnout of around 5,000 for former President Bill Clinton's appearances in Riverton, Rock Springs and Laramie on Thursday.
"Ever since the voting on Tuesday (in Texas and Ohio), this whole election excitement has ramped up to a whole new level," Luckett said. "It's everywhere. People are really, really excited about Wyoming Democrats getting this kind of attention and having this kind of influence on the race."
At stake during today's caucuses are 12 delegates to the national convention this summer in Denver. They'll be selected based upon votes taken of all registered Democrats attending the 23 county conventions.
Luckett said party officials asked county party leaders to be prepared for a turnout of at least 7,000 people for party caucuses today.