Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Clinton, Obama Oppose Primary Leapfrogging

Candidates bow to pressure from states protecting their early primaries

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 2, 2007 12:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama joined three of their presidential rivals yesterday in pledging not to campaign in states that have defied Democratic primary rules by pushing their primaries to early 2008. In recent weeks, Michigan and Florida have announced votes before February 5, challenging the first dibs the party has reserved for Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada.

The signed pact, the Times says, could end the rift between state and party leaders. The DNC had angrily threatened to bar Michigan and Florida delegates from the party’s convention next year, but officials from those states stressed earlier primary dates would focus attention on issues unique to their citizens.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, center, signs a bill which moves Florida's presidential primary ahead of most other states during a ceremony at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office in West... (Associated Press)

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, center, talks with supporters after signing a bill which moves Florida's presidential primary ahead of most other states during a ceremony at the Palm Beach County Supervisor... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., left, and Barack Obama, D-Ill. answer a question simultaneously during the Democratic presidential primary debate hosted by Saint Anselm... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., talk on stage during a break in the ABC News Democratic candidates debate, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at... (Associated Press)

James Roosevelt, Jr., left, and Alexis M. Herman, right, co-chairs of the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee preside over their hearing in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007.... (Associated Press)

James Roosevelt, Jr., left, and Alexis M. Herman, right, co-chairs of the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee start their hearing in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007. Democrats... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

(NEWSER) - The South is gaining population and power at the expense of the Northeast and Midwest, according to Census Bureau estimates released yesterday. If House seats were distributed based on the estimates, which are believed to be a strong predictor of the 2010 census results, Texas would be the big winner, gaining three seats, with Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington each adding one. More»

GOP Penalizes 5 Early Primary States

Party leaders will deprive them of half their delagates at convention

(NEWSER) - Republican party leaders voted today to punish five states for holding their primaries too early, the AP reports. New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan, and Wyoming will lose half their delegates to next summer’s national convention because they plan to stage primaries before Feb. 5. Iowa gets off on a technicality. None of the states will change their dates because of the RNC's punishment. More»

Nevada Resolves Primary Mess, Moves to Feb. 4

'We don't need to be New Hampshire's pinata': Nevada GOP chair

(NEWSER) - Talk about political inside baseball: Nevada restored order to the GOP's chaotic primary scheme today by agreeing to run its caucus in early February. Prodded by Mitt Romney's campaign, Nevada had slated its caucus for Jan. 14, but with half the Republican field promising a boycott, and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus personally showing up to sway Nevada Republicans, the state switched its caucus date to Feb. 4, Politico reports. More»

After NH, What’s Next?

Ethnic blocs come into play in Mich., SC, Nev.; hopefuls will have to bear down on issues

(NEWSER) - After tomorrow's New Hampshire primary separates the early winners from losers, the trail will change radically, the New York Times reports. South Carolina, Nevada, and Florida will bring more diverse racial demographics into play and turn up the heat on bread-and-butter issues. "All of a sudden you’re playing on a magnified stage," recalls a strategist who worked with John McCain in 2000. More»

Primary Leapfroggers Will Lose Half of Delegates: GOP

RNC vows to penalize 5 states

(NEWSER) - Five state delegations will lose half their votes if they hold their primaries, as currently scheduled, before the official start date of February 5, the RNC ruled yesterday. The party’s national chairman said the penalty shouldn’t come as a surprise, because the 2008 rules were adopted at the 2004 convention, Congressional Quarterly reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Clinton, Obama Oppose Primary Leapfrogging

Candidates bow to pressure from states protecting their early primaries

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Florida • Barack Obama • Iowa • RNC • New Hampshire • South Carolina • Howard Dean • Michigan • Nevada • Jennifer Granholm • Democratic presidential primaries • Election 2008 • presidential election

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

GOP Penalizes 5 Early Primary States

Party leaders will deprive them of half their delagates at convention

Nevada Resolves Primary Mess, Moves to Feb. 4

'We don't need to be New Hampshire's pinata': Nevada GOP chair

After NH, What’s Next?

Ethnic blocs come into play in Mich., SC, Nev.; hopefuls will have to bear down on issues

Primary Leapfroggers Will Lose Half of Delegates: GOP

RNC vows to penalize 5 states

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Clinton, Obama Oppose Primary Leapfrogging

Candidates bow to pressure from states protecting their early primaries

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Florida • Barack Obama • Iowa • RNC • New Hampshire • South Carolina • Howard Dean • Michigan • Nevada • Jennifer Granholm • Democratic presidential primaries • Election 2008 • presidential election

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

GOP Penalizes 5 Early Primary States

Party leaders will deprive them of half their delagates at convention

Nevada Resolves Primary Mess, Moves to Feb. 4

'We don't need to be New Hampshire's pinata': Nevada GOP chair

After NH, What’s Next?

Ethnic blocs come into play in Mich., SC, Nev.; hopefuls will have to bear down on issues

Primary Leapfroggers Will Lose Half of Delegates: GOP

RNC vows to penalize 5 states

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?