It's difficult to understand all the hoopola around primary dates in Presidential campaigns. There's complex rules and traditions upheld that many average voters don't even bother to comprehend.
I remember when I went to a New Hampshire Democrat fundraiser where Hillary Clinton spoke last spring. I remember thinking, "Nashua, New Hampshire. What the hell is in Nashua, New Hampshire?" Well, the first northeast primary in the country and the first win to mark on the score cards...and that's pretty much it...oh and I think they had an Applebee's.
So why all the current talk of shifting dates in the primaries? Well, this is a big election and states like Florida no longer want to be left out of the star powered action. They want Hillary and Rudy to run over and try their local ice cream at the state fair just like the New Hampshire or Iowa folks get.
According to the Washington Post, with New Hampshire moving up their date to January 8, this might potentially push Iowa -- known normally as the first primary in the states -- to possibly schedule a call to arms in 2007. So what?
Well the big so what is that this could potentially hur the underdogs like John Edwards from ever having a chance. The faster the primaries line up on the calander, the easier it is for the more popular and more financially endowed candidates to step forward as the inevitable winners in such a short period of time.
Right now the news is focusing on Iowa primarily. MSNBC is practically camped out there watching for any sign of action in the normally quiet state. By normally being the first primary it is the best indication of who is going to win.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/10/05/post_121.html
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2 comments:
The whole primary debacle is something that confuses me greatly. It just seems so unfair that certain places, although not demographically diverse or unique in some way, receive disproportionate attention from candidates. Some states will receive individual attention and really get to know a candidate, while others are forced to get information from the media alone. All this because of one date on the calendar. Does it seem fair to you?
Okay first of all, I am from Nashua, NH and we have an Outback too! :) But I am very confused by the whole primary dates controversy. Florida is already so large and they have a bigger influence in politics already with the number of representatives compared to the 2 my state provides in the House. Why can't they let the smaller states, who should matter just as much, have a little say in our politics. Let us have our time to make a difference. Oh, and I just realized that the Outback is technically in Massachusetts...damnit!
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