ScreamingEagle
Gold Member
- Jul 5, 2004
- 13,399
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Florida officials are expected to upend next year's Republican nominating calendar by announcing on Friday that they will hold the state's primary on Jan. 31.
Four early-voting statesIowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolinathat had planned their balloting for February or later likely would then reschedule their own contests to come before Florida.
Other states could follow Florida's lead by moving their own caucuses and primaries earlier in the year. The beneficiaries could prove to be those candidates with the most money and highest name recognition heading into 2012.
In the 2008 election, Florida violated the rules set by both the Democratic and Republican National Committees by scheduling its presidential primary for January, earlier in the year than the party committees wanted.
A front-loaded primary schedule would make it harder for late entriesa possible bid by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, for examplebecause it would reduce the time they have to campaign and raise money.
Saturday marks the deadline for states to finalize the dates of their nominating contests and a commission in Florida will announce its choice on Friday. State legislative leaders said Jan. 31 is the most likely date.
...
"We want a say in who the candidate is," said Mike Haridopolos, president of the Florida Senate. "We know the risk we're taking, but we're talking about satisfying maybe 100 people versus 19 million people who could have a say in who the nominee is."
Early Florida Primary Would Scramble 2012 Calendar - WSJ.com
Four early-voting statesIowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolinathat had planned their balloting for February or later likely would then reschedule their own contests to come before Florida.
Other states could follow Florida's lead by moving their own caucuses and primaries earlier in the year. The beneficiaries could prove to be those candidates with the most money and highest name recognition heading into 2012.
In the 2008 election, Florida violated the rules set by both the Democratic and Republican National Committees by scheduling its presidential primary for January, earlier in the year than the party committees wanted.
A front-loaded primary schedule would make it harder for late entriesa possible bid by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, for examplebecause it would reduce the time they have to campaign and raise money.
Saturday marks the deadline for states to finalize the dates of their nominating contests and a commission in Florida will announce its choice on Friday. State legislative leaders said Jan. 31 is the most likely date.
...
"We want a say in who the candidate is," said Mike Haridopolos, president of the Florida Senate. "We know the risk we're taking, but we're talking about satisfying maybe 100 people versus 19 million people who could have a say in who the nominee is."
Early Florida Primary Would Scramble 2012 Calendar - WSJ.com
