Primary dates due for overhaul

4/3/07

As the length of the presidential campaign season stretches to epic proportions, states are falling over themselves to move their primary votes earlier to try to gain some impact over the choice of nominees. Connecticut is no exception, and the move to a Feb. 5, 2008, primary vote is probably inevitable. The so-called "super-duper primary" would also include giants New York and California.
It’s a way to try and get a better variety of states involved in the nominating process, and in that regard, it’s a good idea. Four years ago, John Kerry pulled out a surprising win in Iowa, and that was about it for drama. The Massachusetts senator cruised from there, and, in effect, voters in only one state made a choice for the rest of the country.
So a move is under way to get other, larger states an earlier say in the nomination process, and the Feb. 5 primary date has attracted nearly two dozen states. But if Connecticut officials think joining the party will earn them some leverage, they’re dreaming.
First off, we’re too close to New York, which, despite its huge delegate haul, promises to be noncompetitive for both parties, what with their senator and a former New York City mayor running. Then there’s the fact that our state will be lost in the shuffle — who would spend time in Connecticut when California is calling?
It may be that the state should try to move even earlier, as has been proposed, but the best solution is to set up some sort of rotation system, where different states get first crack at the candidates in different years. Instead of bowing down to the Great God of Ethanol in Iowa every four years, let candidates earn the votes of Georgians, or Oregonians, or maybe Hawaiians. The national parties are strong enough to make it happen.
Also, February of the election year is a little early to have everything decided. May or June would be a better time for major primaries, possibly pushing forward the start of the campaign season. We didn’t even get to breathe out after the 2006 votes before it was all about 2008 already. Can’t we get, maybe, a week or so between elections?