COUER D’ALENE, Idaho—It’s an overflow crowd at the Democratic Party’s caucus in Kootenai County at North Idaho College. A line more than a quarter-mile long is backed up out the gymnasium’s front door, with people shuffling feet on thick and slick ice and huddling close together. Cars are double and triple-parked. Fire lanes are filled. Senior citizens are standing next to 17-year-olds who will be voting this November for the first time. Total turnout is 1,250 right now, but more are streaming in.

About two-thirds of people in attendance just raised a hand when asked if this is their first caucus. Start time was scheduled for 7:00 pm, but an 8:00 pm kickoff would be surprising at this point. Notably, the Clinton and Obama supporters are joined by a significant number of Edwards backers—dressed in Edwards gear from head to tow. There’s a Biden for President table, though the volunteers there are largely talking to each other. But in the aggregate this looks like Obama country. The first hint was a Suburban in the parking lot with enormous “Obama ‘08” letters plastered across the back of the vehicle. This may be a red state in general, but on this night at least, the Democratic energy is palable.