Systematic Collapse
For a long time, the presidential primary schedules were pretty well rigidly controlled. Did they make sense? Maybe not, but they were predictable and yet also, by nature of the oddity of having Iowa and New Hampshire go first, capable of generating real surprises. A good showing in those states could suddenly elevate an obscure, underfunded candidate and turn the entire primary season on its ear.
Unfortunately, that system is coming apart at the seams as more and more states are trying to be first. This mad rush is going to make the entire system unworkable and will have the net effect of taking away surprise wins - and some good candidates - and will end up making the best financed candidate the winner - every time. The latest in the moron parade: Wyoming.
In another sign the presidential selection process may be headed for 2007, Wyoming Republicans voted to move their conventions to Jan. 5, leapfrogging Iowa and New Hampshire.
"We're first in the nation," State party County Convention Coordinator Tom Sansonetti told the AP. "At least for the next couple, three weeks until New Hampshire and Iowa move, which I expect they will."
The entire primary system is about to collapse at this rate. It will be a free-for-all unless the parties can get the states back under control. The only way they can do that is to refuse to seat delegates from non-complying states at the convention. The Democrats have done so with Florida. It's past time for the Republicans to make - and carry through with - the same threat.
By sam, Thursday, 30 August , 2007 @ 1:55 pm
Hey watch it, I grew up in Wyoming. Why should the folks in Iowa and New Hampshire have all the fun? Why not rotate so that other states get a chance once in a while?