Cheyenne is "Obama Country"

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois won the straw poll held Tuesday evening at the monthly meeting of the Laramie County Democrats.

Obama received 13 votes, finishing way ahead of second-place finisher John Edwards of North Carolina with 8. Others votes: Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware (6); Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio (4); New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (4); Sen. Hilary Clinton of New York (3); and Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut (1).

Mike Gravel of Alaska did not receive any votes. That may be due to the fact he wasn't represented in the mock debate that preceded the vote. But all the other Democratic hopefuls were. Locals Dems represented the candidates. Sen. Obama, in the person of Wyoming Democratic Party Chair John Millin, held his own. Rep. Kucinich, played by LCD treasurer and Vietnam veteran Bobby Marcum, landed the hardest blows. Give Bobby credit for his strong performance. But he had good material to work with, as Kucinich is a guy who takes a strong stand on the issues and isn't afraid to say what he believes.

Sen. Clinton (played by Beth Lance) had the squishiest perfromance. But don't blame Beth -- Mrs. Clinton is wishy-washy on the biggest issue of the day: Iraq. She also represents the DNC wing of the party, the people who gave us wimpy stances that led to defeats in the 2000 and 2004 elections.

The turnout Tuesday at the Plains Hotel was impressive. I didn't get an official count, but at least 50 people attended, although they all didn't stay for the vote. Lots of young people in the crowd, including Dem activists from local high schools. Many African-Americans in attendance, including former Wyoming State Legislator Liz Byrd. This is notable in Wyoming, which is 92 percent white.

The Laramie County Democrats will hold a salute to the late Jim Byrd, Liz's husband and party activist for decades, on Saturday, Oct. 13, 6-9 p.m., at the VFW Hall on Lincolnway. More details in upcoming posts.