So I went down to the County Clerk's office today to change my registration from I to D so that I can caucus for Obama on March 8th. And I had an interesting conversation with the clerk who told me that they have been "crazy busy" since last week -- which just happens to coincide with the opening of Obama's headquarters in Laramie (and Casper, Cheyenne, and Rock Springs.)
Anyway, according to the clerk, they did a registration drive over on the University of Wyoming campus yesterday -- and they signed up 165 people! She was amazed by it and I have to agree with her. Remember, this is a campus of about 13,000 students in the heart of supposedly red-as-candy-apples Wyoming.
Now, I'm sure that there were a few who were registering for the general election but you have to assume that the overwhelming majority of these people were registering for the March 8 caucuses. And since those are only Dem caucuses, the chances are awfully good that a huge percentage of these are new Dem voters.
She also confirmed something that I have been thinking about -- the ability of Wyoming Rs to caucus in both parties. As you may remember, the WY Repubs moved their caucus up so that they would be relevant. (And then went with Romney -- oh well, nice try, better luck next time.)
But I asked her if there would be anything to stop a Republican who had caucused in January from switching their registration now to Dem and caucusing with the Dems on the 8th. She thought for a minute and then admitted that she couldn't see any reason why that wasn't possible.
I also heard a rumor today that Obama may be planning a visit to Laramie! I'd love to see him come here and pack the stadium the way he did in Boise.
Lastly, a gentle reminder: if you want to caucus with the WY Dems on March 8, you have until Friday to make sure you are registered as a DEM. Independents and Republicans can attend the caucuses but they will not be allowed to vote. If you haven't previously registered or if you are registered as other than a Dem or if you didn't vote in 2006, get thee to the county clerk's office tomorrow. It's painless, takes only a couple minutes and just requires a Wyoming driver's license or Social Security Number. (Other forms of ID can be accepted if you have neither.) For more, check out this diary from the other day.