UNITED STATES - ELECTIONS
Primaries to kick off on Jan. 8
Thursday, November 22, 2007
US presidential state-by-state primaries will kick off on Jan. 8 after New Hampshire, traditionally always the first state to go to the polls, ended speculation about the timing of one of the first contests in the 2008 White House race.
By Reuters
CONCORD, N.H., Nov 21 (Reuters) - New Hampshire set Jan. 8
as the date for its primary vote in the U.S. presidential
election, ending speculation on Wednesday over the timing of
one of the first contests in the 2008 White House race.
as the date for its primary vote in the U.S. presidential
election, ending speculation on Wednesday over the timing of
one of the first contests in the 2008 White House race.
Iowa's nominating contest on Jan. 3 and New Hampshire's
primary kick off state-by-state battles to winnow out losers
and elevate a select few candidates to move ahead and seek
their parties' presidential nominations.
primary kick off state-by-state battles to winnow out losers
and elevate a select few candidates to move ahead and seek
their parties' presidential nominations.
"It's earlier than we had imagined not too long ago, but
first and foremost we are going to preserve the New Hampshire
primary and this will let us do that," New Hampshire Secretary
of State William Gardner told a news conference.
first and foremost we are going to preserve the New Hampshire
primary and this will let us do that," New Hampshire Secretary
of State William Gardner told a news conference.
For more than half a century, running for the White House
has meant romancing voters in New Hampshire, shaking hands and
flipping burgers in hole-in-the-wall diners, in the hope that
winning the state will spark a surge of publicity to secure the
nomination in other states.
has meant romancing voters in New Hampshire, shaking hands and
flipping burgers in hole-in-the-wall diners, in the hope that
winning the state will spark a surge of publicity to secure the
nomination in other states.
But a shake-up in the nominating calendar means the Jan. 8
primary is the earliest in the history of New Hampshire, which
has held the first primary in every presidential campaign since
1920.
primary is the earliest in the history of New Hampshire, which
has held the first primary in every presidential campaign since
1920.
New York Sen. Hillary Clinton leads the race for the
Democratic nomination in the state, according to recent polls,
while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leads among likely
Republican voters.
Democratic nomination in the state, according to recent polls,
while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leads among likely
Republican voters.
Both New Hampshire and Iowa have faced complaints that the
mostly white and rural states do not offer a representative
test for candidates, and that more racially and economically
diverse states should play a bigger role.
mostly white and rural states do not offer a representative
test for candidates, and that more racially and economically
diverse states should play a bigger role.
Florida, Michigan, Nevada and South Carolina have clamored
for greater say in the process and moved their nominating 2008
contests earlier.
for greater say in the process and moved their nominating 2008
contests earlier.
Michigan's Democrats had threatened to challenge what they
termed New Hampshire "privileged" position by holding a ballot
on the same day as the New Hampshire primary. New Hampshire
officials responded by hinting at a possible December primary.
termed New Hampshire "privileged" position by holding a ballot
on the same day as the New Hampshire primary. New Hampshire
officials responded by hinting at a possible December primary.
On Wednesday, Michigan's highest court cleared the way for
a primary there on Jan. 15.
a primary there on Jan. 15.
"We don't get this every four years and I don't expect to
have one like this for a long time," Gardner said of the months
of speculation over New Hampshire's primary date.
have one like this for a long time," Gardner said of the months
of speculation over New Hampshire's primary date.
Gardner has vowed to preserve a law passed in the state in
1977 that requires a seven-day window between its vote and any
"similar" contest to avoid diluting the state's influence in
picking Democratic and Republican presidential nominees.
1977 that requires a seven-day window between its vote and any
"similar" contest to avoid diluting the state's influence in
picking Democratic and Republican presidential nominees.
In the primary, independents -- not just registered
Republicans and Democrats -- cast direct votes and can chose
either a Republican or a Democrat.
Republicans and Democrats -- cast direct votes and can chose
either a Republican or a Democrat.
That differs from Iowa where voters gather with neighbors
and declare publicly which candidate they support.
and declare publicly which candidate they support.
Winning both can build momentum for a flurry of nominating
contests on Feb. 5.
contests on Feb. 5.
There are no reactions so far.
Be the first user to react to this article.
You will only have to select the button <<REACT>> and fill the indicated fields.
Your reaction
Your reaction has been sent to FRANCE 24. Thank you for your feedback.
France 24 - Send by e-mail
The article has successfully been sent by email
