Next year's presidential primary process may be over exactly one year from today as big states and little states compete to become more important. Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, echoing the familiar complaint that California has become a sort of ATM for candidates looking for big money, has encouraged the Democrats who control the State Legislature to move next year's primary up to February 5. Other big states, including Texas, Florida, Illinois and New Jersey are threatening to do the same thing. Moves by Nevada and Iowa may push New Hampshire up to December of this year, with 11 months still to go before the general election. What would that mean for discussion of issues or the chances of dark horse candidates who don't have massive war chests? Would they still have to shake hands with voters, or would it all be about TV?
Will Voters Be Singing Christmas Carols in New Hampshire?
Credits
Guests:
- William Galvin - Massachusetts Secretary of State
- Walter Shapiro - Roll Call / Yale University - @MrWalterShapiro
- Carla Marinucci - Politico reporter covering California politics - @cmarinucci
- Andrew E. Smith - University of New Hampshire - @smithanh
- Michael Mishak - Los Angeles Times - @mjmishak