SALT LAKE CITY — Presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Saturday will become the first Democratic candidate to open a campaign office in this highly conservative state.
With only a few dozen delegates at stake, Utah is unlikely to have an impact on whom Democrats nominate. But Obama’s campaign is hoping that after early contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, he will be able to sweep more than 20 states holding primaries or caucuses on Feb. 5, including Utah. “Almost half the country is voting on Feb. 5th, and Utah is one of those states,” said David Plouffe, Obama’s campaign manager. “You simply can’t wait until after Iowa to get organized.”
University of Utah political science professor Matthew Burbank said having a base ready in Utah could prove advantageous in winning over traditionally Republican neighboring states such as Colorado. The Associated Press
