Dems Recommend Election Calendar Changes

[LincolnMcGrath]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2224346

WASHINGTON Jul 22, 2006 (AP)— National Democrats recommended Saturday wedging Nevada between the traditional one-two punch of Iowa and New Hampshire in the leadoff nominating contests for president in 2008.

South Carolina would move up in the election calendar, too, according to plan that awaits final action next month by the Democrat National Committee.

Democrats envision a 2008 lineup that begins with Iowa's caucuses on Monday, Jan. 14, followed by Nevada's caucuses, probably on Saturday, Jan. 19. New Hampshire would hold its first-in-the-nation primary on Tuesday, Jan. 22. South Carolina's primary probably would come a week later. The dates are recommendations from DNC staff.

[CornField]

1. So... explain to me

If the DNC votes for the calendar change, what's to prevent Iowa from moving back and allowing NH to also move?

[pstans]

3. Iowa has already set the date

January 14th. They voted this week to set the date for January 14th. Check out Political Forecast for more info about the calendar schedule...

http://www.politicalforecast.net/2006/07/22/dnc-rule-and-bylaws-committee-adds-nv-caucus-and-sc-primary-to-the-top-spots/

[Debi]

6. Iowa didn't set the date - the DNC Rules and By-Laws Committee

set the date. Under Iowa law no other contest is supposed to occur until eight days after the Caucuses. the DNC calendar conflicts with the existing law. Interesting, will our legislature vote next year to change the law? Or will our Party Chair move the Caucus date to comply?

43.4 Political party precinct caucuses.

<snip>

The date shall be at least eight days earlier than the scheduled date for any meeting, caucus or primary which constitutes the first determining stage of the presidential nominating process in any other state, territory or any other group which has the authority to select delegates in the presidential nomination.

The state central committees of the political parties shall set the date for their caucuses.

<snip>

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/2001SUPPLEMENT/43/4.html

[Debi]

4. The IDP would have to move and our Chair is not inclined to do so...

Buuuuuuuuut there is a group that could MAKE our Chair move the date.......:evilgrin:

[CornField]

8. I'm not sure how the DNC plans to override state laws

I need to do some more reading on this so I can better understand how it all fits together.

Last I heard, NH has a state law that their primary must be set a week before any similar contest (and has always had the friendly agreement with Iowa for the 8-days after the caucus time-frame). Given that, they've threatened to move their primary to the fall.

In answer to NH's threats, the DNC is threatening not to seat their delegates at the 2008 State Convention. And, I imagine, the same threats will be made to Iowa if we move up with NH. (The truth, IMO, is that the convention is NOTHING because so many states have been moved so far up the calendar that the convention is a freaking after-thought.)

Seems to me if the DNC wants a big stink, they're headed for one. Frankly, that's too damn bad. Here we Democrats sit on the threshold of it all, and we can't do squat about it because of all our own hairpulling and foot stomping.

[Debi]

10. State law only governs the state

So the DNC could give a flying f&%$ about Iowa and New Hampshire state law. Unfortunately, our Governor and Lt. Governor also don't give one! :shrug:

[pstans]

9. Is that group the...

state central committee?

Too bad we don't have any DU'rs on that.

[Debi]

11. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge buddy!!! n/t

[pstans]

2. Why don't they frontload it more?

The problem in 2004 was that the caucus/primary schedule was too front loaded and Kerry was the decided nominee too early. So what do they do, they make it even more frontloaded. We will have a nominee in Feb. 2008, so they can get smeared for 6 months before the convention.

[Debi]

5. I agree with you. This move was a mistake. n/t

[pstans]

7. Trip down Primemory Lane by Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert, when he was with the Daily Show, takes a trip down Primemory Lane and ends by saying, "Kerry was the last one left standing in Feburuary, now 6 months later, we finally have the convention."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhbLtzyJKDQ

[Debi]

12. But that wasn't Iowa or New Hampshire's fault

That was frontloadings fault - Howard Dean has been a disappointment as Chair in this matter. He does have some control (or did have) and chose to let the free-for-all begin. Colorado tries to jump everybody? DC tries to slip in between IA & NH as well? Where will it stop? Four primary contests in four weeks....that's just bullshit.