Jackson Hole Underground

Some of the highlights from the 2008 Wyoming Democratic Convention:

• Willie Neal is going to Denver.
• Obama picked up two more delegates. Overall tally for Wyoming at this point: Obama 12, Hillary 5, Undecided 1.
• We persuaded Wyoming Democrats to unanimously endorse Wild and Scenic designation for the Snake River headwaters.
• Gary Trauner is a rock star.
• Gov Dave came out swinging.
• Brian Schweitzer wowed ‘em.

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AP photo. Click to enlarge.

Nearly five months ago, on a cold winter’s night in Iowa, and Jackson Hole, as I sat at my computer watching the election returns pour in from the country’s first Democratic caucus, I got the feeling something extraordinary was unfolding, the kind of moment in history that raises hairs on the back of your neck, like the protester stopping tanks in Tiananmen Square or the U.S. hockey team upsetting the Soviets.

Barack Obama had shocked the American political establishment, winning by a sound margin. One could sense that a movement was afoot, one that with ordinary people rolling up the sleeves to take back their government, actually could succeed.

Last night, I got that feeling again. Obama was back in Iowa as voters in Oregon gave him the overall majority of pledged delegates for the Democratic nomination. What had started as an improbable dream was just about coming to fruition.

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Ending his long silence on the Democratic race, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal today endorsed Barack Obama for president, saying Obama has the “skills and energy to reinvigorate this nation.”

The governor credited Obama’s understanding of energy and environmental issues, his openness and his appeal to a wide swath of Wyoming residents. He characterized Obama as a leader capable of rallying what Abe Lincoln called “the better angels of our nature.”

“The negativity, partisanship and lack of purpose that characterize our national debate and government are crippling this country,” Freudenthal said in a statement. “While no one individual can effect this change alone, the change must begin with someone. Senator Obama is the Democratic candidate with the openness, honesty and skill to end this vicious cycle of business as usual.”

Freudenthal is one of Wyoming’s superdelegates and thus adds another critical vote in Obama’s favor as pressure builds for Hillary Clinton to drop out of the race.

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Here’s a look at Casper, Wyo., as seen through the lens of photographer David Stubbs.

Like Rock Springs and Cheyenne, Casper has a “historic” downtown with brick buildings and back alleys, but as in many of America’s small cities, this core is deserted after dark, a victim of the suburban exodus and surrounding sprawl. Someday someone will see the character and potential of these buildings for redevelopment, as we rediscover the efficiency and coolness of urban living.

I struck a pose in front of the upper building, but we’ll save that for another time.

Yes, we did.

Wyoming gave Barack Obama a much-needed boost Saturday, as the presidential hopeful rode the biggest turnout in state Democratic Party history to yet another overwhelming victory out West.

Teton County led the way, with 80 percent of voters backing Obama — his largest margin of victory in the state. Overall, Obama claimed 61 percent of the vote in Wyoming, compared to 38 percent for Hillary Clinton.

Obama now has won 29 of the 43 nominating contests and leads by 150 delegates heading into Tuesday’s primary in Mississippi.

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