NH Democrats form panel to keep primary first in nation

[Freddie Stubbs]

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s Democrats are preparing to fight to keep the state’s presidential primary the nation’s first.

Kathy Sullivan, head of the state party, on Wednesday announced formation of a blue ribbon panel of leading Democrats to promote the primary, whose leadoff status periodically is challenged as not being representative of the nation.

The New Hampshire Presidential Primary Democratic Task Force was named in response to formation of a 40-member Democratic National Committee commission charged with studying the presidential nominating calendar for the 2008 election.

The New Hampshire panel will be chaired by Joe Keefe, former state party chairman, and Judy Reardon, legal counsel to former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen.

more: http://www4.fosters.com/January2005/01.27.05/news/ap_nh_0127b.asp