Primaries earlier in season to feed political spin

Aside from the breakthrough in diversity among candidates and the political application of YouTube and MySpace, the 2008 presidential election cycle marks an unprecedented change in the primary calendar. In the past few election cycles, states have begun moving the dates of their presidential primaries earlier and earlier. So far 2008 has confirmed the trend that has raised the eyebrows of politicians, voters and political pundits alike.

In the past the primary season has started at the beginning of the election year (usually around February) and lasted until late August when parties hold their national convention during which delegates officially nominate the party's candidate.

According to the Federal Election Commission and stateline. org, 21 states, including electoral heavyweights New York and California, have moved their primaries to Tuesday, Feb. 5, which has become known as "Super-Duper Tuesday."

Political science professor David Rankin said that states are pushing for earlier primaries so that their candidates can take advantage of their success in one state and get exposure in states with later primary dates.

Political science professor Ray Rushboldt said that the push for early primaries can be attributed partly to 'horserace journalism,' aggressive coverage of "who is winning or losing, even though we haven't had the primaries yet."

According to a March 3 article from the U.S. News and World Report Web site at usnews.com, Fred Baron, a finance director for former Sen. John Edward's (D-NC) campaign, is one of many who believe that the earliest primaries are crucial in setting a trend for who will be elected.

"I subscribe to the theory that any candidate that wins three or four of the initial states will have such a tailwind that it will be difficult if not impossible to stop that candidate," Baron said.

In the same article, an aide for Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) was quoted saying that the Obama camp is not "obsessing over Feb. 5," but that they are "monitoring the situation."

According to the Federal Election Commission, only 18 states are now scheduled to hold their primaries after the month of February. Pennsylvania, which has the fifth most votes in the electoral college (tied with Illinois with 21 electoral votes) is also considering a move to February or March. "Super-Duper Tuesday" is set to include primaries in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia. Ten other states are slated in February, and eight in January.

To obtain an absentee ballot to vote in the presidential primary, go to the Web site for the county in which you are registered to vote and fill out an online application or inquire by phone.

-Reporting done by Sarah Tykowski, Special to The Leader