McAllister said she wasn't very excited about voting for the Democratic nominee for president in 2004, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry. But McAllister said she feels a connection to Obama. "I feel like I could sit down and have a conversation with him."

Her husband, Joshua Flack, grew up in a Republican family and said he's often felt his votes for Democrats didn't count for much in Utah. Polls show about half of Utahns identify themselves as Republicans, one-fourth as independent and only 15 percent as Democrats.

Now, though, Flack is even willing to believe Obama could win Utah in November if he becomes the Democratic nominee for president. Especially if the Republicans don't choose Mitt Romney as their nominee.

Romney is widely seen as a "favorite son" candidate in Utah because he headed up the successful 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints like the majority of the state's residents.

"I think Romney is a good candidate, and if he's just kicked out because he doesn't fit the religious majority, then I think a lot of Republicans could rethink their position," Flack said. "I think Obama's got a message that can reach out to them."

Utah state Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake, said having Obama at the top of the ticket could help other Democratic candidates. While McCoy said "it would take a lot" for Obama to win Utah, he could still attract some GOP votes.

"That's one of the things I think is so exciting about him," McCoy said, "the crossover appeal."

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