Senate Approves Earlier Primary to Boost Obama

[Ethelk2044]

Last Edited: Wednesday, 16 May 2007, 5:44 PM CDT
Created: Wednesday, 16 May 2007, 5:44 PM CDT
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By JOHN O'CONNOR
Associated Press Writer
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- The Senate on Tuesday approved an earlier presidential primary election in Illinois, a Democratic plan to help favorite son Barack Obama.
Legislation to make the primary Feb. 5, instead of March 20, passed the Senate 48-10. Gov. Rod Blagojevich has promised to sign it.
Supporters said the goal was not simply to aid Obama. They argued Illinois should play a bigger role in determining the presidential nominees.
"Illinois is one of the largest states, it's the bellwether of the United States," said Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills. "We should decide who the candidates are going to be in November."
Obama, a U.S. senator and former member of the Illinois Senate, is a top contender for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008.
The state's Democratic Party chairman, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, introduced the idea of moving the primary election to give Obama an early victory in a big state. Often, nominees have been decided by the time of Illinois' March primary.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=3226521&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

[illinoisprogressive]

1. I knew we were going to move up. They want to help Obama.

[Ethelk2044]

3. It is Great News

[AtomicKitten]

2. Great news.

Gobama.