CHEYENNE - If you ask Sally Bloom, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has exactly what America needs in a president.

"Some people … think he's not old enough or doesn't have the experience," said Bloom, a Democrat from Evansville. "I think completely different. I think he can pull it off."

But if you talk to Democrat Rhonda Gingerich of Casper, Sen. Hillary Clinton is easily the best choice for the party nomination.

"Her health care plan was really what pulled me to her," Gingerich said. "And I like the fact that I know that when Hillary says something, she does what she says."

Wyoming Democrats including Bloom and Gingerich suddenly, and somewhat unexpectedly, find themselves playing an important role in a major national political contest.

But unlike their counterparts in other states where the nomination has been on the line, they don't have the luxury of aggressive statewide polling to tell them which candidate their neighbors are likely to support.

Twelve delegates are at stake in Saturday's Democratic caucuses, which take place in all 23 counties. All registered Democrats attending will have a say in which candidate emerges with the bigger delegate count.

Here's what some local political experts and other Wyoming Democratic voters had to say about their favorites in the race and the likely outcome of Saturday's conventions:

* Jim King, political science professor at the University of Wyoming, picked Obama as the favorite in the caucuses.

Obama has raised more money in the state, and his campaign has demonstrated a high level of organization with mailings and networking with Democrats in the state, King said.

The ongoing war in Iraq may also play in Obama's favor, he said.

"Anti-war sentiment among Democrats is pretty strong, and I think that's something that works to his advantage," King said.

Another possible plus for Obama is residual distaste for the Bill Clinton administration in Wyoming. King said Obama also has a broader appeal and his forward-looking message may resonate with party members.

"A lot of his national appeal is being able to talk about the good things that can be done, and not just reciting what his administration has done," King said.

* Dave Marcum, political scientist at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, is convinced that Obama will prevail Saturday.

He said Obama has shown his savvy by tailoring radio and newspaper advertisements to issues that are important to Wyoming, including energy development and small business.

He also said Clinton will struggle to overcome her husband's legacy, especially among young people who may only recall the controversial end of his second term.

"They probably heard their mom and dad talking about how (Bill Clinton) was unfaithful in his marriage," Marcum said.

Bill Clinton's legacy with regard to gays in the military and wolf reintroduction also could hurt Hillary Clinton's chances on Saturday, Marcum said.

"When it comes to Hillary, there's this almost irrational kind of response to her and her candidacy," he added.

* Shaun Kelley, a Democratic precinct captain in west Laramie, said both candidates have supporters in his district.

Kelley noted that a number of moderate Republicans across the state switched party affiliation to participate in the caucuses. They'll be loathe to support Clinton, he said.

On the other hand, Kelley's precinct is composed largely of voters who are Hispanic, and he said they seem to be divided on whom to support.

In the end, it will likely be Obama who carries his precinct, he said.

"I just got the sense that Obama has a much broader spectrum of support in my district," Kelley said.

* Sanya Moore, a Democrat in Laramie, said she expects a close contest Saturday. Personally, she isn't sure whom to support.

She'd like to see a woman elected president, but she's afraid the Republican candidate would defeat Clinton.

"A lot of us, young and old, are so disillusioned," Moore added. "We are ready to look at someone new and say, 'Let's go for it.'"

* Mona Garvin, a Democrat in Green River, likes Obama for a number of reasons.

She said he's young and straightforward, and his foreign policy is likely to reflect the fact that he has family in foreign countries.

He's also a person of color, which means he represents a section of people that a white candidate does not, and he understands Islam, although he's not Muslim, she said.

"I'm afraid if we get Hillary in, we're going to have Bill (Clinton) running things, and he had his chance," Garvin said.

Reach capital bureau reporter Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or at {M3jared.miller@trib.com.