Is the new primary schedule: Iowa, Nevada, NH, SC?

[Ninja Jordan]

Does it go:

Iowa, (3 days later) Nevada, (week later) NH, (week later) SC?

If so, Edwards is set up really well. He is high in the polls in Iowa, and if he wins there, he can place well in NV, then end strong in SC before super tuesday. Interesting...

[thatsrightimirish]

1. I think so

But I think New Hampshire is challlenging it

[Ninja Jordan]

2. I hope NH is unsuccessful

in their challenge. I like the idea of Iowa-Nevada being the first two, and NH gets sandwiched before SC. Such a schedule may produce nominees like Edwards, Richardson, or Warner. Instead of Dukakis, Mondale, and Kerry (no offense).

[msongs]

3. put California first, it is more diverse and gives more bang for the buck

since we have the most electoral votes and the most people and we are a blue state.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/2007politicalcalendars.htm

[Ninja Jordan]

4. NV is pretty good

Las Vegas is pretty diverse. Northern NV has a more conservative population, while the southern areas are more liberal. Anything to neuter NH....

[MasonJar]

5. Am I mistaken or am I right when I seem to remember that NH

went Pug in 2000 or we would not be in this mess?

[Ninja Jordan]

9. I think that's right.

nm

[lastknowngood]

6. Great four red states to pick the blue candidate

n/t

[DemPopulist]

10. That's really not fair

NH went blue in '04, Iowa is usually blue and was barely red last time, and Nevada is a swing state.

[sandnsea]

12. I think that's the point

The Dem base in any state is more liberal and that's who drives the primaries to begin with. Beyond that though, you get the views of more right leaning Democrats which is what we need to win. We also get an opportunity to take the varied view of Democrats into regions that may not always hear a spectrum of ideas. That can serve to move the constituency which may be why IA & NH go back and forth more than the states surrounding them. I think they'll be good additions to the process.

[ruggerson]

13. You obviously know nothing about NH

if you label it a red state. A lot has changed there in the last twenty years.

[mcscajun]

7. Will be IF it passes muster. So far, no vote taken; it's just a proposed

rules change.

[Ninja Jordan]

8. Another important point

Is whether NV has party registration, and if so, whether their primary will be open to all registered voters (GOP, Dem, Ind), just some (Dem, Ind), or just one type (Dem).

[DemPopulist]

11. It won't be a primary

It will be a caucus, so Democrats only presumably. That, plus his strength with unions is another reason having NV early is good for Edwards.

[ruggerson]

14. From what I gather

it's Iowa (caucus) Nevada (Caucus) NH (primary) and SC (primary).

I think it's an excellent run up to Super Tuesday, as it provides candidates from different regions of the country to gain a foothold in the process.

Hypothetically, a Westerner could do well in NV, a midwestern in IA, a New Englander in NH and a Southerner in SC.

It gives us a far more competitive primary season and it lessens the influence of NH, which is known for its independent streak, a streak which may or may not run contrary to the tides of the nation as a whole.