UPDATE 1-Wyoming, land of firsts for women, tough on Clinton

(Adds Clinton quote, paragraphs 12-13)

By Ellen Wulfhorst

CHEYENNE, Wyo., March 7 (Reuters) - With a long history of firsts in women's rights, Wyoming would seem to be a state primed to put its stamp on the presidential aims of Sen. Hillary Clinton, but experts say that doesn't seem likely.

They are predicting the western state of just 59,000 registered Democrats will back Clinton's rival, Sen. Barack Obama, in Saturday's presidential nominating caucuses. It has backed Republicans in the past 10 presidential elections.

"While Wyoming has had some remarkable 'firsts' including the right to vote for women and some of the first elected female officials in the nation, our status these days isn't so great," said Catherine Connolly, professor of sociology and women's studies at the University of Wyoming.

The state holds bragging rights for granting women the vote earlier than anywhere else in the United States -- in 1869 when it was a territory. In 1925, it became the first state to elect a female governor.

But it does not look like Wyoming will be at the forefront in backing Clinton, who would be the first female U.S. president if elected in November's presidential vote.

"It really isn't playing out as a feminist issue," said Susan Cannon, 55, of Big Horn, who supports Obama. "I think how much I would love to see a female president in my lifetime, but I can't let that ... trump the other concerns that I have."

Analysts said Obama had advantages because the meeting-like caucus format so far has favored him and is likely dominated by liberal Democrats who lean toward the Illinois senator.