I like the sound of Senator Nelson's regional primary plan:

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/p...NEWS01/70906022

http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGB25AM2A6F.html

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...473/1020/NATION

Too bad it probably won't pass. The DNC and the rest of the party don't seem to care about fairness in the long term or re-enfranchising millions of voters that the DNC is determined to disenfranchise in the short term for the 2008 primary. I'm SO mad at the DNC!

:angry:

I wish Nelson's plan would be adopted. Here is the gist of it:

"Nelson and Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., are cosponsoring a bill to have one primary in March, two in April, two in May and one in June. Each of the six primaries would feature at least one state from a different geographic region and the order of states would rotate every four years.

"This would give voters in larger states a strong voice in selecting the nominees over four months, while also giving citizens in the smaller states a fair say, too," said Nelson.

The proposal would not give permanent preference to any states -- as New Hampshire and Iowa have enjoyed for decades. If approved by Congress, the bill would go into effect for the 2012 presidential elections."

What do you think, Wayne? This is not the dreaded national primary date you are so against (as am I). I think this proposed regional primary system is fair, logical and could work.

So naturally it won't pass. :read:

I like the idea of spreading out the primaries in March, April, May, and June. It reduces that big gap between knowing the nominee and the convention around August and keeps them from starting too early.

I don't know the details of Senator Nelson's plan. Would it have the primary votes run by the Party and not by State Legislatures? I also like the idea of some rotation every four years.

Now and then a good bill might pass if it can slip under Rove-Radar :ph43r:

I like the idea of the rotation, also, Wayne. I can't find much detail yet on the internet about the specific substance of the proposed plan, but what I've seen, I like. Seems very fair and preserving of "old-fashioned" campaigning to what is important to the voters in each region, versus your fears about a national primary date which would lead to slick media campaigns geared towards big media markets.

I don't think it will pass, though. For some reason, the big players like the DNC seem h*ll-bent on preserving the arbitrary tradition of Iowa and NH going first. While I do love the charm of the Iowa and NH campaigns and I feel there is more good about campaigning directly to the person on the street (or in the diner, etc.) than just charm, ultimately it is inherently unfair and bizarre to have those specific two small states go first and wield so much power each and every election cycle. If you think about it, it is really weird and unfair! I like the Nelson-Levin regional plan better.