It was more than St. Patrick's Day that had Charleston lawyer Pat Maroney excited Monday.

The announcements that both Democratic presidential contenders - Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill. - would be in Charleston this week brought memories of 1960 back to him.

"It'll be a fun primary and I think all West Virginians ought to be proud that they're here," said the longtime Democratic stalwart and current West Virginia national committeeman.

Clinton will hold a town hall-style meeting Wednesday at Capital High School in Charleston at 1:45 p.m., her campaign announced Monday evening. Doors will open at noon for the event, called a "Solutions for America" town-hall meeting.

Capital High Principal Clinton Giles sees the visit by Clinton as a civics lesson for his students, some of whom are of voting age.

"We intend to let our juniors and seniors attend," he said.

The former first lady will also hold a round-table discussion with veterans at American Legion Post 16 in Huntington at 10 a.m. Wednesday. That event is invitation-only.

Obama will hold an event at the University of Charleston on Thursday, several sources said, and will also visit Beckley.

West Virginia's 39 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are up for grabs. Still, many political observers were surprised that the candidates are already stopping here, almost two months before the state's May 13 primary election.

"After 48 years, West Virginia has [again] achieved the status of an important primary," said Robert Rupp, a West Virginia Wesleyan College professor.

It was more than St. Patrick's Day that had Charleston lawyer Pat Maroney excited Monday.

The announcements that both Democratic presidential contenders - Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill. - would be in Charleston this week brought memories of 1960 back to him.

"It'll be a fun primary and I think all West Virginians ought to be proud that they're here," said the longtime Democratic stalwart and current West Virginia national committeeman.

Clinton will hold a town hall-style meeting Wednesday at Capital High School in Charleston at 1:45 p.m., her campaign announced Monday evening. Doors will open at noon for the event, called a "Solutions for America" town-hall meeting.

Capital High Principal Clinton Giles sees the visit by Clinton as a civics lesson for his students, some of whom are of voting age.

"We intend to let our juniors and seniors attend," he said.

The former first lady will also hold a round-table discussion with veterans at American Legion Post 16 in Huntington at 10 a.m. Wednesday. That event is invitation-only.

Obama will hold an event at the University of Charleston on Thursday, several sources said, and will also visit Beckley.

West Virginia's 39 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are up for grabs. Still, many political observers were surprised that the candidates are already stopping here, almost two months before the state's May 13 primary election.

"After 48 years, West Virginia has [again] achieved the status of an important primary," said Robert Rupp, a West Virginia Wesleyan College professor.

In 1960, the state's Democratic primary campaign between U.S. Sens. John F. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Hubert Humphrey, D-Minn., proved a Roman Catholic could win in a predominantly Protestant state and he went on to be elected president.

"That was the first [campaign] I was really engaged in as an adult," Maroney recalled.

Clinton and Obama have been campaigning in Pennsylvania for the 187 delegates available in that state's April 22 primary.

Rupp said West Virginia's demographics are similar to places where Clinton has won. That includes being predominantly Democratic, made up of blue-collar workers who are not affluent and mostly white.

Obama holds a 1,603 to 1,497 lead in overall delegates for the Democratic nomination over Clinton, according to The Associated Press.

"He's sending notice that he's keeping West Virginia in play because every state is important now," Rupp said of the Illinois senator.

Obama will be campaigning with two of West Virginia's political heavyweights. U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and his wife, Sharon, plan to campaign with him in both Charleston and Beckley, Rockefeller spokeswoman Jessica Staunton said.

State Democratic Chairman Nick Casey said he understood the UC event would be held around 11:15 a.m. He had no information about Obama's Beckley trip.

Casey said he had expected both candidates to be in the state a little early, but mainly in northern counties near Pennsylvania.

To contact staff writer Tom Searls, use e-mail or call 348-5198.