Florida could force early GOP state presidential primaries

[scandal 951]

Here we go again.

It seems every 4 years we go through this, and each cycle they want to go earlier and earlier.

Why should Washington DC get to have all the fun of dysfunctional politics when we can spread it nationwide through the primary jockeying process?

Florida could force early GOP state presidential primaries

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida is poised to hold its presidential primary on Jan. 31, forcing an earlier start to the GOP nominating contests than what the national Republican Party had planned.

State House Speaker Dean Cannon said Wednesday that Jan. 31 was the likely date for the Florida primary as the state works to ensure that it votes right behind the four that are the first to traditionally hold presidential primaries or caucuses -- Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

Cannon said Florida's hand was forced by other states that moved up their dates, including Missouri, which has set its primary for Feb. 7. He also noted in a phone interview that the tentative date could change if states other than the first four try to leap over or match Florida.

Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina have promised to protect their early voting status by moving their contests if needed.

South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Chad Connelly, who has sole authority to set a date, said he would hold a news conference today and likely will announce a primary date. Georgia's secretary of state also scheduled an announcement for today.

Wayne MacDonald, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, said an early January primary, which would force the candidates to make campaign appearances during the holiday season, is "certainly a possibility."

"I'm deeply disappointed that Florida's doing this," he said.

A special committee will meet Friday to select the date.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Primaries are a party function, not a government function. The parties need to handle this, and pay for it. There is no provision for the election process to even have all this nonsense.