It happens almost every Presidential election cycle. One party, either the Republicans or the Democrats, puts forward a primary plan that challenges New Hampshire’s role as the host of the nation’s first primary. In the end, the plan usually gets shelved, but that doesn’t stop someone from trying again in four years. This time, it’s the Democrats, who have announced a primary plan that makes the New Hampshire primary and Iowa Caucuses just two races among many:
CHICAGO, Aug. 19 — Democrats agreed to shake up tradition Saturday by wedging Nevada between Iowa’s leadoff caucuses and the New Hampshire primary in the 2008 presidential nominating calendar and adding South Carolina soon afterward.
The addition of Nevada’s caucuses and the South Carolina primary to a presidential calendar long dominated by Iowa and New Hampshire is intended to give a greater voice to Hispanics and blacks — minorities critical to Democrats’ success.
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The plan would keep Iowa’s caucuses in their leadoff position Jan. 14. Nevada would follow with its own caucuses Jan. 19. New Hampshire would retain its status as the first-in-the-nation primary, with voting Jan. 22. South Carolina would hold its primary Jan. 29.
As is typical for them, the Democrats claim they are doing this in the name of “diversity”:
Nevada has a sizable Hispanic population while South Carolina has a high concentration of black voters. The early contests in those states will give Democrats more prominence in the Southeast and the Southwest, regions that tend to support Republicans.
Advocates of the plan, which the Democratic National Committee passed on a voice vote, say it will force Democratic presidential candidates to develop a broader message that extends beyond the concerns of voters in Iowa and New Hampshire.
The more likely outcome is that a plan like this will over inflate the importance of yet two more early primaries.
