Dems propose rules change to disuade 2/5/08 primary
By Wally EdgeNew Jersey's early and potentially relevant 2008 presidential primary -- soon to be set for February 5th -- could be in jeopardy if a proposed Democratic National Committee rules change passes. The move would reduce the size of state's delegation by as much as 30% as a penalty for moving their primaries to the first Tuesday in February. California is among the state's considering a February 5, 2008 primary; the California Senate President and Assembly Speaker have asked Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean to reject the proposal.
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I think the Democratic National Committee's proposed penalty is
I think the Democratic National Committee's proposed penalty is short-sighted and rather self-defeating. The Committee has no vested interest in preferring one state over another, especially two states with larger populations and more electoral votes than some of the preferred primary states.
*** Having states other than NH and Iowa decide the nominee make
***
Having states other than NH and Iowa decide the nominee makes sense...and regionalizing primaries would make sense too.
But now it seems every state is moving there's up...so I think the impact is going to be lost...but changing the DNC rules doesn't seem to be the best tactic to stem this.
***
Can you imagine having a real Presidential Primary in New Jersey
Can you imagine having a real Presidential Primary in New Jersey?
Candidates fighting over ballot positioning...County Chairs threatening committee people...cash payments to county organizations...back room deals in Burlingtown County...dead people voting in Hudson County...
Saturday Night Live would have a field trip!
New Jersey can't be trusted electing it's own officials, why would anyone allow this state to screw up the entire nation too.
Dear Bergen Boy, Have you ever gotten out of the county? Do y
Dear Bergen Boy,
Have you ever gotten out of the county? Do you know what politics is like in New York City, Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, etc? I think you have a problem with democracy, rather than New Jersey.
It would actually be better for the Presidential candidates and
It would actually be better for the Presidential candidates and not that harmful for New Jersey if both New York and Pennsylvania moved their primaries up to February 5 as well.
If that would happen, paid media dollars spent in the NYC and Philly media markets would get more bang for the buck.
Also, if both NY and PA joined NJ and CA and other states in opposing this rule change, I have a hard time seeing it pass.
There are only going to be three or four Democratic candidates and only two or three Republicans remaining when February 5 rolls around anyway. It doesn't make sense for any state to be penalized for wanting a chance to decide who amongst an already narrowed field is going to be their Presidential nominee.
If anything, they should require every state to hold their primary or caucus by February 26 so that the national conventions and can be held several months earlier and the general election can begin shortly thereafter.
If candidates are going to announce their candidacies this early in the process, it would only make sense to accelerate the primary selection process.
Of course, this benefits the candidates who can raise the most money, but that is going to be true regardless until true campaign finance reform is implemented, campaigns are 100% publicly financed, and the FCC requires all forms of media that they regulate to give candidates free access.
A couple of commentators mentioned regional primaries. This is n
A couple of commentators mentioned regional primaries. This is not a new idea. It was considered favorably by the Mondale Commission appointed by DNC Chair Robert Strauss after the 1972 presidential election. Of course, it would be logical for NJ, NY and PA to vote on the same day but the power of NH and Iowa within internal democratic party politics is not to be underestimated.