LIVE COVERAGE: Clinton, Obama campaign in Wyoming today

The Rocky

Published March 7, 2008 at 5:46 a.m.
Updated March 7, 2008 at 9:20 p.m.

The Rocky is blogging live today as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama campaign in Wyoming.

8:27 p.m.

LARAMIE -- Obama concludes by asking the crowd to join with him to "remake the country," starting by going to their caucus and supporting him tomorrow.

"You and I, together, we're going to change this country, we're going to change the world," he says.

For the second time today, Stevie Wonder's Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) plays over the loudspeaker. Obama shakes a few hands on the way out, and the crowd heads for the door.

--Sara Burnett

8:21 p.m.

LARAMIE -- Continuing on the offensive, Barack Obama says Hillary Clinton was "trained" in the politics of Washington.

"She thinks that the key is to play the game a little bit better ... that you have to beat the other side into submission," Obama says.

He also takes issue with Clinton's frequent criticism that his ideas are just rhetoric, and that he isn't experienced enough to run the country.

"If you've been trained in those politics ... then of course you conclude that talk of something different is naive," he says.

--Sara Burnett

8:18 p.m.

CASPER-- Clinton asks everyone to caucus for her. And then it's over. She is done talking and is now shaking hands with the crowd. The Bruce Springsteen music starts. It's Land of Hope and Dreams.

--David Montero

8:15 p.m.

CASPER -- Clinton says "John McCain is a friend of mine." But she also says she's the only one who can go "toe-to-toe" with him. She also acknowledges the how late the hour is getting and that the people have to be at their caucus site at 7:30 a.m.

"I'd better let you get to bed," she said to laughs.

--David Montero

8:14 p.m.

CASPER -- L.A. Barella, an 82-year-old standing near the back of the room clutching the blue Hillary Clinton sign is waving it high above his head. Few would classify him as typical, politically. He said he voted for Ronald Reagan. He considers Dick Cheney "a good man" ---though he didn't vote for him when he was a congressman in Wyoming. And he didn't vote for President Bush either time.

Barella likes Clinton, however. The World War II and Korean War veteran said

Clinton has the experience needed for the job and would have no trouble casting a ballot for her.

"She's a sharp lady," he said. "She could handle any challenge in front of her. And there are challenges."

Barella, who said he's lived in Casper "since the Last Supper," is intrigued by all the political trails being blazed around the state by Democrats. But he didn't bother to go to Obama's rally -- he's a one-woman guy.

--David Montero

8:11 p.m.

LARAMIE -- The crowd is on its feet again, as Obama turns his speech to the war in Iraq.

"It is time to bring our troops home," Obama shouts.

He says he won't abandon Iraq. His plan calls for withdrawing one to two brigades per month. At that rate, all troops could be fully withdrawn in a little over a year, he says. An international force would remain in place for diplomatic reasons, and a "strike force" would target terrorist cells.

He also criticizes John McCain and Hillary Clinton for voting to go to war in Iraq, when Al Qaeda was not yet there.

"We should have stayed focused instead of taking our eye off the ball," he says.

--Sara Burnett

8:02 p.m.

CASPER -- Clinton, in a bright blue blazer, has spent a lot of her time ripping President Bush. It goes over great with the crowd, booing every time his name is invoked and then cheering when she says the line that has been a boilerplate special for her campaign: "It takes a Clinton to clean up after a Bush."

She also says she will "bring back America's moral authority" by ending the war in Iraq and win the war in Afghanistan. More cheers. And yet another jab at Bush.

"I don't think planning has been the strong suit of the Bush Administration."

--David Montero

8:02 p.m.

LARAMIE -- Obama says that when he and his wife Michelle finished law school, they were $100,000 debt -- an amount greater than their mortgage.

He says he'll make college more affordable by providing $4,000 tuition credits for students who put time into community service.

Among the other things he says he'll do: get rid of tax cuts for companies that send jobs overseas, invest in solar and wind energy and introduce universal health care.

He'll pay for it with money currently being spent on the war in Iraq, which he says is costing the United States "hundreds of millions of dollars."

"That is money that could be spent right here in the United States of America," Obama says.

--Sara Burnett

7:44 p.m.

LARAMIE -- Obama gets the first standing ovation of the night when he says people are excited about this year's election because there won't be a Bush or Cheney on the ballot in November.

He also says that even Republicans are getting behind his campaign -- a comment that draws scattered cheers from the crowd in this Republican-dominated state.

Obama knows Republicans are supporting him, he says, because sometimes when he's shaking hands, they'll whisper in his ear: "Barack, I'm a Republican."

--Sara Burnett

7:35 p.m.

Hillary Clinton takes the stage, pointing and waving through loud cheers. She is standing and smiling while a supporter prepares to introduce her. Behind her, a poster reads, "Wyoming is Clinton County."

--David Montero

7:35 p.m.

LARAMIE -- The University of Wyoming mascot -- known as Pistol Pete -- runs into the arena, waving the university's yellow flag. Behind him, pausing to shake hands with the crowd on his way to the stage, is a smiling Barack Obama.

His first words to the audience: "Powder River!"

To which the crowd responds, "Let 'er buck!"

It's a University of Wyoming cheer often heard in the stands of Wyoming football games -- fans here call themselves the Powder River Posse -- and the audience eats it up.

Obama then jokes that security took Pistol Pete's gun away from him.

"So tonight he's just Pete," Obama says.

--Sara Burnett

7:31 p.m.

CASPER -- The traveling press for Clinton has arrived, meaning the candidate will soon be taking the stage. And not a moment too soon. R.C Johnson, who just went over the entire caucus process with the crowd, was asked to keep it going before finally getting the "cut" sign.

"You guys don't wan to hear from me anymore?" she asked.

Laughter.

The crowd is paying attention, though the music has started up again. The wait continues.

--David Montero

7:28 p.m.

LARAMIE -- Wyoming state Sen. Mike Massie is introducing Barack Obama.

Massie says when he announced he was supporting Obama months ago, someone asked him why he was endorsing someone who had so little experience in the U.S. Senate.

Massie responded by comparing Obama to former President Abraham Lincoln, who like Obama served in the Illinois legislature.

"I think Sen. Obama reflects the same thing, of course, that President Lincoln did, and that is that opportunity is alive and well in America," Massie said.

Then he introduced "the next president of the United States, Barack Obama," and the crowd went wild.

7:22 p.m.

LARAMIE -- The Arena Auditorium seats about 15,000 people, but a university staffer said the upper level of the auditorium was blocked off, making the building's capacity closer to 10,000 for Obama's appearance tonight.

The lower level is filled, however, and people are trickling into the upper tier of seats.

With a line still outside, it's already the largest crowd so far in Wyoming for either presidential candidate.

Obama is scheduled to take the stage soon.

--Sara Burnett

7:17 p.m.

CASPER - Hillary Clinton is already almost an hour late. But after music blared through the speaker system in the gym at Casper College, a woman named R.C. Johnson took the stage.

"I want you to know she is on her way," Johnson told the crowd to cheers. Where she was, however, was left to the imagination. Some are estimating she won't actually arrive in Casper until after 8 p.m.

--David Montero

7:04 p.m.

LARAMIE -- Three student outreach workers with Barack Obama's campaign took the stage to warm up the crowd, urging the audience -- which includes a fair number of University of Wyoming students -- to turn out for tomorrow''s caucuses.

Then the campaign played Yes We Can, a video by The Black Eyed Peas' frontman will.i.am, on the video scoreboard. The video, which mixes clips of Obama's speech after the New Hampshire primary with celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, John Legend and Herbie Hancock, has become a hit on YouTube.com.

In an area in front of the stage cordoned off for students, Ada Chung and John Sala said they came tonight to find out what, exactly, Obama means.

"He says 'Yes We Can,' but he doesn't say how we can," said Chung, a sophomore.

Chung and Sala, a senior international studies major, saw former President Bill Clinton speak last night, and Sala said Clinton's speech was "excellent." Yet he added he'll likely caucus for Obama tomorrow. Chung remains undecided.

--Sara Burnett

6:35 pm

LARAMIE -- With Barack Obama scheduled to take the stage inside the University of Wyoming's Arena Auditorium in less than an hour, a line of several thousand people is winding around the building and for several blocks through campus.

It's good business for Ryan Puett, a 19-year-old from Indianapolis who with a friend has been driving the country "in a Volkswagon Rabbit that doesn't have enough room," selling Obama buttons.

They cost $5 for one button, or $10 for three, and come in a variety of styles -- psychedelic peace signs, a pink button that says "Women for Barack" and one with shamrocks, for Irish Americans who support the senator from Illinois.

Puett says most of the proceeds go to the Obama campaign, except for "a small percentage" he and his buddy use to cover travel costs.

When a guy with a handful of change walks up and finds out he doesn't have enough money, Puett says he'll take whatever the guy has. He pockets the coins, shrugs and says, "Something's better than nothing, you know, when it's for a good cause."

--Sara Burnett

4:38 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Clinton wraps up, thanking the crowd and yelling: "Go to the caucuses tomorrow, thank you!"

--Sara Burnett

4:32 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Asked what she'll cut to save money, Clinton says the war in Iraq, and tax cuts for the rich.

A music teacher says No Child Left Behind is devaluing the arts, and wants to know if Clinton will mandate that the arts are part of the curriculum in schools.

"Yes, I think we need to have a broad-based curriculum that will help children learn. That's what I'm for," she says.

A little girl standing on a chair asks what Clinton will do for school security and to make sure kids have the supplies they need.

"We have to make schools secure," Clinton says, saying every parent's heart breaks when he or she hears about a school shooting.

Then she says the country needs to get rid of the disparities between wealthy and poor school districts. The federal government should try to help poor schools get supplies and support they need.

Clinton says she'll take just a few more questions. She's expected in Casper in two hours.

-- Sara Burnett

4:16 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Her approximately 40-minute speech over, Clinton is now taking questions.

The first question is who inspired Clinton. The former first lady responds that it was her mother. Then she says she's also inspired by all the people she meets on the campaign trail.

The second question is what Clinton plans to do to secure Social Security.

The first step is to restore fiscal responsibility -- a balanced budget and a surplus, she says. That would put the Social Security trust fund back on firm footing. There also needs to be a bipartisan commission to find ways to fix Social Security without cutting existing benefits or putting a greater tax burden on middle class people, she says.

Clinton also gets in another dig on Bush, saying the president has only two priorities: The war in Iraq, which he has "waged but refused to pay for," and tax cuts for the rich, which he passed and also "refused to pay for."

A woman asks what Clinton would do to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina get back to their homes.

Katrina was a national disaster that turned into a "national disgrace," Clinton says.

She says she would take FEMA out of the Department of Homeland Security and have it report directly to the president.

-- Sara Burnett

4:08 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Clinton is now talking about tomorrow's caucuses.

"If you would prefer solutions over sound bites ... I need you to go to those caucuses tomorrow and stand up for me," she says. "I can't do it without you here in Wyoming."

Clinton says a lot of people asked why she was going to Wyoming, where she admits she has an "uphill climb."

"I said, 'Well it's really pretty,'" she says.

Then she adds that it's because she's "a fighter."

--Sara Burnett

4:02 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- The closest thing so far to a standing ovation comes when Clinton addresses the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"There is no military solution and it is time to bring our sons and daughters home," she says, and many of those who are seated stand up to applaud.

Clinton says military force should be used as a last resort, not a first resort.

--Sara Burnett

3:56 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Clinton says she wants to let the public use the same health insurance plan as Congress, and improve early childhood education.

But her biggest applause so far comes when she says she wants to get rid of No Child Left Behind, the Bush education plan, and that college should be more affordable.

Clinton worked all through college, she says, then supported herself through law school -- with "a little tiny scholarship" and a loan she got through the federal government at an interest rate of about 2 percent.

She asks how many people in the crowd are paying off student loans. A few dozen hands go up.

Clinton says she wants to get rid of private student loan companies, and forgive student loan debt for people who work a few years in public service jobs, like teaching and law enforcement.

--Sara Burnett

3:46 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Clinton is talking about her ideas to revive the economy, the need to focus on renewable energy and her plans to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil.

"I am not interested in holding hands with the Saudis. I'm interested in holding them accountable," she says.

She also gets in a dig at "the two oilmen" in the White House, saying America's energy policy won't change until President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are gone.

--Sara Burnett

3:37 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Clinton says after Sept. 11, many of the first responders were sickened by breathing toxic air at ground zero.

She says she worked across party lines to work with Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi, a Republican, to get them help.

And she says she'll continue to work across party lines if elected president, because there is a lot of "repair work" that needs to be done.

Then she added a line she's used many times before: "It took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush and I think it's going to take a Clinton to clean up after the second Bush," she says.

--Sara Burnett

3:32 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- The crowd is on its feet as Hillary Clinton arrives to the song The Rising by Bruce Springsteen.

Kathy Karpan, the former secretary of state of Wyoming is introducing her, saying she traveled overseas years ago with Clinton when Clinton was First Lady.

"Hillary was funny, and she was fun, and she got along with her daughter," she said.

Karpan also praises Clinton as a parent, commenting on her daughter, Chelsea: "I never see her in the National Enquirer. I never see her in the Star. She hasn't gotten any DUIs."

That brought a loud cheer from the crowd.

When Karpan and Clinton were on a delegation to the Winter Olympics together in Norway, Clinton even ate reindeer.

"She'll do anything for America," Karpan said.

Taking the microphone, Clinton thanks the crowd for its patience -- she started almost an hour late -- and then referenced the reindeer comment.

"What happens on the road stays on the road," she said to laughs.

--Sara Burnett

3:08 p.m.

CASPER -- The Obama program is over. Standing ovation. Cue the music: Signed, Sealed, Delivered, (I’m Yours) by Stevie Wonder.

In a little more than three hours and just a couple of miles away, Sen. Hillary Clinton gets her shot at Casper.

-- David Montero

3:03 p.m.

CASPER -- The last question Obama takes comes from a man behind him sitting in the bleachers.

Obama is asked how he would describe his leadership style as president..

“I’m a strong believer in having strong people around me,” he said. He even offered that he’d be willing to have people, regardless of political party, helping him.

“I don’t want yes men or yes women. I want to get every viewpoint around the table.”

-- David Montero

2:58

CASPER -- There will be a lot of unanswered questions. “I’ve got time for two more,” Obama says to some mild groans.

There are more than 30 hands raised. But it looks like he’s going to hold to that. He has to be in Laramie in four hours to deliver a speech at the University of Wyoming.

--David Montero

2:46 p.m.

CASPER -- Obama talks about the West and how President Bush has let down a region known for being somewhat libertarian.

“What you really have (here) is a lot of libertarians. People who believe (in) individual rights and individual freedom,” he said before launching to a critique on warrantless wiretaps and holding people in prison without charging them. “There is nothing conservative about that. There is nothing Republican about that.”

Then he took a swipe at Sen. Hillary Clinton.

“Watch out for the politics of fear. You’re seeing it now with this phone call at 3 a.m.,” he said. “It’s designed to play into your fears.”

And then he cracked wise.

“What do people think I’m going to do? I’m going to answer the phone,” he said to laughs. “Find out what’s going on.”

Someone has opened a back door and the temperature has dropped by about 5 degrees in the back part of the gym. Jackets and sweaters are starting to be put back on.

-- David Montero

2:48 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- In addition to the usual navy blue "Hillary" signs, organizers just handed out some homemade signs to people prominently situated in the crowd.

The posters have a red and blue background, with a cutout of a large, white buffalo. They include slogans like "Wyoming loves Hillary" and "Cowboys 4 Hillary," written inside the buffalo.

-- Sara Burnett

2:40 p.m.

A question about the space program is next. “Why are you pitting the space program against education?”

Obama says he wants to defer the program “because we’re not producing enough engineers to support the space program.” He said he grew up in the ‘60s and remembered the days when the space program captured the public’s imagination.

Including his.

“I grew up on Star Trek,” he said. “I believe in the Final Frontier.”

--David Montero

2:30 p.m.

CASPER -- Obama is finished with a truncated version of his stump speech and has now opened up his Town Hall Meeting to questions. The first question: “Will you sign my book?”

“That’s an easy one,” he said.

But the next question was not. It was about what he was going to do to raise the living standard for Native Americans.

He wants to offer teacher incentives to teach on reservations.

“In the end, though, as is true in inner cities…as is true in barrios in Los Angeles or South Texas, part of what has to happen is we have to deal with jobs and employment and long-term prospects for the future,” he said to applause.

-- David Montero

2:30 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- The president of Laramie County Community College, Darrel Hammon, just took the stage and surveyed the crowd of about 2,000.

"I wonder if there's anyone in Cheyenne left," he said.

Hammon welcomed everyone, then left the stage. There were a few chants of "Hillary, Hillary," but still so sign of the candidate.

-- Sara Burnett

2:33 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Marcus Sanchez has his 7-year-old son, Matthew, on his shoulders and his 10-year-old, Michael, at his side as he waits for Hillary Clinton to arrive.

A 35-year-old who builds motorcycles in Cheyenne, Sanchez said Wyoming -- the first state to give women the right to vote -- has a long history of recognizing women's rights and accomplishments. He wanted his sons to experience the town hall meeting for the candidate who could be the country's first female president.

"It's historical," Sanchez said. "It's a great opportunity for them."

Men have run the country for so long, Sanchez said, it may be time for a change.

"I think it's time for us to recognize women as a very powerful voice," he said. "Hillary is the epitome of that."

-- Sara Burnett

2:17 p.m.

CASPER -- Obama has touched on the war in Iraq, saying it is “distracting us from the real enemy” and he’s talked about health care coverage. But the second standing ovation comes when he says he won’t be beholden to lobbyists because his campaign doesn’t take money form them.

-- David Montero

2:17 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Hands in Harmony, the local sign language performance group, is warming up the crowd of more than 1,000 waiting to see Hillary Clinton at a town hall meeting.

So far they've performed the pledge of allegiance, God Bless America, Tomorrow, from the movie Annie," and a medley that included a tribute to both Nebraska and Arkansas.

Meanwhile, the crowd continues to slowly stream in. All the seats surrounding the stage are full, and people are standing six or seven deep toward the back of the gym.

Most people entering through the two metal detectors said they waited about two hours to get through security.

There's still a line outside, and no sign of Clinton.

-- Sara Burnett

2:10 p.m.

First standing ovation for Obama for the predictable line, “The American people are ready for change.”

-- David Montero

2:02 p.m.

The first words from Obama. “Thank you. Thank you.” And then, “It’s great to be in the Cowboy State.”

-- David Montero

1:56 p.m.

Pamela Williams said Obama is the first presidential candidate she has ever endorsed, let alone given money to. She is warming up the crowd for Obama, getting in cracks at President Bush’s expense and about how she was floored hearing him talk.

“Barack Obama said it's up to us to turn this country around,” Williams said, to cheers and chants of “Yes we can.”

Then she gave up.

“This is like being the warm up band for the Rolling Stones,” she said. “ You don’t want to listen to me.”

And to wild applause, Obama hit the stage exactly on time.

-- David Montero

1:54 p.m.

CASPER -- Just got the first new catch-phrase of the caucus, courtesy of a Democratic County Co-Chair, Pamela Williams. The word is Wyobaming.

-- David Montero

1:53 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Hillary Clinton's town hall meeting this afternoon will have a little sparkle.

Scheduled to provide musical entertainment -- beyond the Bruce Springsteen and Dixie Chicks piping through the stereo system, that is -- is Hands in Harmony, a local performance sign language group made up of hearing students ages 7 to 18.

The group will perform numbers from its patriotic show (it also has Western, variety and ministry shows). Depending on how much time they have, songs could include God Bless the USA, This Land is Your Landand America.

Director Martha Borgaard said the group got the call yesterday.

"We're fairly high-profile in the community," Borgaard said. "So they just called us."

It's possible Clinton's advance crew remembered the group from 1992, when Hands in Harmony performed for a Bill Clinton appearance while the former president was campaigning in the general election.

Today's performance will include just 16 of the group's 45 members.

"Only those who could get out of school," Borgaard said.

-- Sara Burnett

1:30 p.m.

CASPER -- Two field representatives have taken the stage –- introduced by first-name only.

“Hello Wyoming,” they yell to loud applause. And then the two go into a scripted conversation about how to participate in the caucus Saturday. Where to go, when to get there. “It’s 8 a.m., Holiday Inn. On the river,” the one introduced as Carolyn says. Heads nod in the crowd, giving the impression that everyone in Casper knows where the Holiday Inn on the river is.

The duo go through a few more basic questions, including the biggest one on people’s minds – Do I have to talk? “No,” the one introduced as Jackie says.

And then they’re done. Applause and exit stage left.

--David Montero

1:22 p.m.

CASPER -- The gym is packed. They’re standing on bleachers, milling in the aisles and still looking for empty seats. It’s a good sized gym, with two basketball courts and a place for a volleyball court, too. But officials won’t say how many are here, though the free event was sold out yesterday. An announcement will be made soon, officials said.

--David Montero

1:14 p.m.

CASPER -- This Texas energy man with an Obama ’08 sticker on his sweater has no doubt about who should be the next president of the United States.

“The Democrats got too liberal and Bill Clinton broke my heart,” Raymond Rapisano says with a slight drawl. “But you listen to Barack Obama – and I travel all over red states and I hear it – they say this guy is all right. He’s trying to unify us, not divide us. Bill Clinton was the one who introduced the red state-blue state phenomenon.”

Rapisano is just getting warmed up. He’ll talk your ear off if you let him. He said he likes that Obama doesn’t want to write off nuclear energy entirely and that he wants to pursue cleaner coal energy.

The 57-year-old has lived in Casper for four years and said it takes a special man to come to a place like Wyoming.

“He’s visited all the red states,” he said. “That is a winning strategy. You can’t just write them off.”

--David Montero

1:12 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- Jenny Dockler calls it "one of the most exciting campaigns ever."

"We've had a woman, an African American, a Mormon, an Evangelical, and John McCain -- who was counted out a year ago," the 44-year-old accountant said while waiting to see Hillary Clinton.

The most exciting thing so far? Seeing the candidates in her home state. Dockler was reading the newspaper this morning when she learned about Clinton's town hall meeting here. She dropped everything, got in the car, and called her boss to let him know she'd be out for a while.

All that from a woman who until earlier this week was supporting Barack Obama.

Dockler said she had a change of heart after hearing Obama speak Tuesday night. His speech was more soliloquy than substance, she said.

"There was nothing about what he was going to do for me," she added.

Dockler is still officially undecided.

She's here today to find out more about Clinton. And because didn't want to miss what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"It's another thing I can cross off my list of things I want to do before I die," Dockler said. "No regrets."

--Sara Burnett

12:42 p.m.

CASPER -- The doors have been open for just about five minutes and people are settling into their seats to see Barack Obama. Among those are Brian and Katie Cushing –- brother and sister.

Wearing brown and gold –- it seems that’s as close to a uniform color for state resident as their can be –- she said it was shocking to see two Democratic front-runners show up in Vice President Dick Cheney’s back yard.

“It’s about as red of a state as you can get,” she said, chuckling. “We’re definitely a minority.”

Both said they’re undecided between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton. He said he wants to hear more about their health care plans. Both plan to attend Clinton’s event later this afternoon about two miles away.

“A little more specifics wouldn’t be a bad thing to hear,” Brian Cushing said. “It still seems broad when they talk about it.”

Still, he said in the 10 years he’s been registered a Democrat, seeing candidates like Obama and Clinton come to Casper is a bit like Christmas.

“Amazing,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

--David Montero

12:40 p.m.

CHEYENNE -- They started lining up to see Hillary Clinton at 7:30 this morning. Or at least Travis Perko did. Perko, 36, was first in line at Laramie County Community College, motivated by missing former President Clinton's appearance last night in Laramie due to weather.

"We weren't going to miss this one," Perko said.

Asked what the temperature was when he arrived, Perko responded, "Cold."

He promptly sent a text message to friend Pam Webb, 33, telling her to bring chairs and blankets as soon as she got her kids off to school.

Webb, a single mother of two who is self-employed, has no health insurance for herself. She said she likes Clinton's plan for universal health care. She also wants to end the "mess" in Iraq.

By noon, there were more than 200 people lined up, waiting for Clinton's 2:30 appearance.

The Democratic candidate for president will be speaking inside the college gymnasium, before a huge American flag and smaller -- though only slightly smaller -- cowboy boot, adorned with an eagle and the name of the college.

--Sara Burnett

Noon

CHEYENNE -- With about 2 1/2 hours until Hillary Clinton's appearance at Laramie County Community College, more than 200 are in line. The first people arrived about 7:30 a.m.

--Sara Burnett

11:02 a.m.

Hillary Rodham Clinton today again raised the possibility that she might run with rival Barack Obama on the same Democratic presidential ticket.

Speaking to voters in Mississippi before flying to Wyoming, Clinton said, “I’ve had people say, ’Well I wish I could vote for both of you. Well, that might be possible someday. But first I need your vote on Tuesday.”

It is the second time this week that she has hinted at a joint ticket with the Illinois senator; he has not ruled it out but says it is premature to be having those discussions.

--Associated Press

10:39 a.m.

CHEYENNE -- How long has it been since Wyoming Democrats felt relevant? Try 1960.

In a story in today's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle headlined "Yes Virginia, there are Democrats in Wyoming," local Dems said their opinions haven't mattered this much since the 1960 Democratic National Convention, when 15 votes cast by Wyoming's delegation helped John F. Kennedy clinch the nomination.

Party spokesman Bill Luckett called it "a once-in-a-generation type of opportunity for Wyoming to have a say."

And it seems Dems are coming out of the woodwork to get involved. The Wyoming Secretary of State's Office told the paper the number of registered Democrats has grown by more than 1,000 since the beginning of the year.

That brings the number of registered Dems in Wyoming to about 59,000 -- still far less than the approximately 136,000 registered Republicans.

--Sara Burnett

9:50 a.m.

A Barack Obama adviser has resigned after calling rival Hillary Rodham Clinton “a monster.”

A campaign official told The Associated Press today that Samantha Power’s resignation is effective immediately. (See background in 8:40 entry.)

--Associated Press

8:48 a.m.

Only two Democratic presidential candidates have won Wyoming in a general election in the last 60 years — Harry Truman in 1948 and Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

--Associated Press

8:45 a.m.

Months into the Democratic nominating contest, former President Clinton still stumps vigorously for his wife across the country, still seeking the right role for himself in an unprecedented and high-profile experiment in how best to help her.

He spoke in Wyoming on the eve of today's Cowboy State appearances by his wife and Barack Obama.

Hillary Rodham Clinton's advisers credit him with boosting her support among rural voters, especially men. He also phones through a list of party "superdelegates" almost daily, urging them to back the former first lady. And he has raised considerable cash for her campaign, both at events with the well-heeled and in online appeals to smaller donors.

What he doesn't do — anymore — is criticize Obama, Hillary Clinton's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination.

And he has not appeared onstage with his wife since Super Tuesday.

But campaign aides believe that after months of trial and error, they have finally found a role for the former president that plays to strengths without needlessly reminding voters of the theatrics of his White House years.

The answer: play the traditional political spouse.

--Associated Press

8:40 a.m.

An adviser to Barack Obama apologized today for telling a Scottish newspaper that rival Hillary Rodham Clinton is "a monster."

Both of the Democratic candidates are campaigning in Wyoming today.

Samantha Power, a foreign policy adviser to Obama's presidential campaign and Pulitzer Prize winner, was quoted in remarks she later attempted to retract as saying in The Scotsman newspaper that Clinton was stooping to low tactics to recover ground in the race to win the party's presidential nomination.

The Harvard professor is quoted as telling the newspaper Obama's team had been disappointed with Clinton's campaign win in Ohio on Tuesday.

"In Ohio, they are obsessed and Hillary is going to town on it, because she knows Ohio's the only place they can win," Power is quoted as saying. "She is a monster, too — that is off the record — she is stooping to anything."

Power issued a statement today in which she acknowledged the comments but said she "deeply regretted them." Obama's spokesman Bill Burton said in an e-mail: "Senator Obama decries such characterizations which have no place in this campaign."

--Associated Press

5:46 a.m.

Today's events

Obama

* Arena Auditorium, University of Wyoming, Laramie; doors open 5 p.m.

* Casper Recreation Center Gym, Casper; starts at 2 p.m., but event is full.

Clinton

* Laramie County Community College, Gymnasium, Cheyenne; doors open 12:30 p.m.

* Casper College Auxiliary Gym; doors open 4:30 p.m.

• March 7, 2008

  9:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ladymarie writes:

  Obama is getting frustrated that he just can't get rid of her. No matter what he does or says. This country in all of its greatest has still never had a woman leader. While other countries who have islamic governments and who consider woman as second class citizens had had women in charge. What does this say about us?

• March 7, 2008

  12:46 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Lonestar writes:

  I'm sure that we will have a president who is not a white male eventually, but Hillary is not exactly Margaret Thatcher.

• March 7, 2008

  12:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  chobbes writes:

  The thought of Hillary as President has sent Wyoming voters to the can due to IBS.

• March 7, 2008

  1:28 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Spencer writes:

  I wonder if the wind is blowing?

• March 7, 2008

  4:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  NotChasB: "So the "Monster" and "Kenneth Star" are in cowboy country. Maybe they can brand Hillary on her big rump and throw a lasso around Obama's big ears. I hope they tar and feather the varmints and ride them out of town on a rail."

  What a heartwarming example of Christianity you portray. I suppose when one of them becomes our President, you'll be calling for their assassination next?

• March 7, 2008

  8:23 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  sptwcg writes:

  When will you idiots realize that hilary clinton is a loser, and we WILL NOT RETURN to the prosperity of 1998, so quit thinking we will relive it.

• March 8, 2008

  5:41 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DoveSong writes:

  The "investors" who think that "terroism" is found in a man who's character is above board, honest, and willing to bring hope and change to America, is a dunce and racist idot. The most danger Obama could bring, is to open the hearts of men to all people, from every American persuasion, and restore our face and pride in our great nation here at home and around the world. It distresses me to hear this ridiculous talk. Face up to the challenge of America's greatness - her diversity and love for her people.

• March 8, 2008

  5:49 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DoveSong writes:

  sasquatch: you are funny, but your facts are wrong. Obama is not corrupt - everyone who knows him in chicago says that he is a regular guy who works hard and has no corruption on his record. Don't believe every accusation by his enemies (the Clintons) and the jealous crabs. You know that Obama graduated Magna cum Laude from Harvard law - that is the best - number one in his class. He's a pistol on smarts.

• March 8, 2008

  8:05 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  kiowak writes:

  I agree with Dove Song, Obama has not been indicted for any wrong doings in Chicago, however the Hillary campaign has no problem using dirty politics to try to win this election. I find it
  quite ironic that she uses "guilt by assocation" against Obama, yet try to ask her about her association with John Burgess, founder of the International Profits group, a convicted felon and dis-barred ex NY lawyer and you'll not get any answers from her. Burgess (and his investment group) is up on charges of market (racketeering)fraud and over 100 women (at least 10 against Burgess alone) have filed sexual harassment charges against them. Hillary has taken over 150,000 in donations from Burgess personally, and from his group employees and refuses to give it back, claiming they'll wait and see if they get convicted before they decide to return or give the money to charity.

  Obama gave the (Rezko) money to charity, he did not take
  the wait and see attitude, so what does this say about
  Hillary's attacking him? It says she's guilty of the
  very same thing she's trying to use against him.

  Hillary claims to be a "champion of women" yet she has no
  qualms about taking money from (alledged) sexual harassers? Hillary's first big legal case was defending a man against
  charges he raped a 12 year old, and a big part of her
  "defense" of him was slandering the name of the girl,
  by claiming the girl 'fantasized' about older men and
  made the whole thing up. The child was forced to undergo
  a psychiatric evaluation.

  As a grandmother, mother and working woman, I do not want someone "championing" for me in words only. Hillary is
  NOT someone I would choose to "champion" for me.

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