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South Carolina Prompts Primary Chaos

SC to jump to January, pushing primary schedule as early as December

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 9, 2007 5:14 AM CDT
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(Newser) – South Carolina's Republican Party is about to shift its primary to January 19, triggering a chain reaction of primary rescheduling that is infuriating candidates and campaign managers, the Washington Post reports. The New Hampshire primary will likely be rescheduled for early January and the Iowa caucuses as early as December. Other states, seeking to make their primaries more important, are also still angling for early dates.

The date shifting, begun by Florida, has created the longest election season in history—and cast a shadow of uncertainty over campaigns. "If you facing a moving chess board it's difficult to know where to make your first move," said one expert. Both national party committees have threatened to punish state parties changing primaries by blocking some delegates to the national conventions.

Republican presidential hopeful former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., center, looks to his wife, Jeri Thompson, right, after speaking at a South Carolina Republican Party fundraiser, in Columbia, S.C., Wednesday, June 27, 2007, as S.C., GOP Chairman, Katon Dawson, left, applauds Thompson's speech. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)
Republican presidential hopeful former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., center, looks to his wife, Jeri Thompson, right, after speaking at a South Carolina Republican Party fundraiser, in Columbia, S.C.,...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential candidates Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani talk during a break in the ABC News Republican presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is seen at right. (AP Photo/Kevin Sanders)
Republican presidential candidates Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York city Mayor Rudy Giuliani talk during a break in the ABC News Republican presidential debate at Drake University in Des...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopefuls former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left, embraces former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., walks by after the Republican debate at University of South Carolina's Koger Center for the Arts, Tuesday, May 15, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Republican presidential hopefuls former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left, embraces former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., walks by after the Republican debate at University...   (Associated Press)
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Shifting Primaries

Iowa already preparing to shift caucus date
Des Moines Register

More details of South Carolina's planned announcement
State (Columbia, SC)

New Hampshire watching SC moves closely
Union Leader (NH)

US • Politics

 
Florida • Republican • New Hampshire • South Carolina • primary • GOP • Election 2008 • presidential election

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