Rudy Giuliani Watch: California LIKELY To Move Presidential Primary to February 5

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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, left, and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appear at a news conference to announce their support for the city’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Both favor moving the California Presidential primary election to Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008.
Los Angeles Times:State aims for Feb. 5 primary to boost clout

The move from June 3 would give California more influence in the 2008 presidential race.

With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s backing, state lawmakers from both parties are moving rapidly to make California a player in choosing the nation’s next president by holding the state’s primary four months earlier.

A bipartisan group of state senators introduced legislation Friday to change the 2008 presidential primary from June 3 to Feb. 5. Another bill was introduced by an Assembly Republican on Thursday, the day after Schwarzenegger declared that moving up the primary date would make California “relevant” nationally and was “something to shoot for.”

The February date â€” the earliest the state can choose under national party rules â€” would place California at the beginning of the election season, right after four states that have secured the most privileged spots in January for their Democratic caucuses or primaries: Iowa (Jan. 14), Nevada (Jan. 19), New Hampshire (Jan. 22) and South Carolina (Jan. 29). The Republican calendar has Iowa and New Hampshire first, with the rest of the schedule in flux.

Contenders, who now bypass California except to raise money, would be forced to establish real presences here.

There appears to be bi-partisan support for the move to Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

So, who benefits?

Rudy Giuliani

The latest California poll results are here:

California:

Giuliani 33%
Gingrich 19%
McCain 18%
Hagel 5%
Romney 3%
Hunter 1%
Undecided 22%

The move favors the well-organized and well-funded:

It could cost as much as $8 million for each candidate, very early in the contest. But a second-tier candidate in Iowa and New Hampshire could get his or her momentum back in California very quickly.

Giuliani is leading in the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire but a California win – a GOP winner take all primary – would give him the Big MO going into conservative Southern States where McCain may have more strength. Or could deliver a knock-out blow.
And where will Governor Schwarzenegger be?

Who is speaking at the Schwarzenegger controlled California Republican Party Convention luncheon in two weeks?

Rudy Giuliani

So, what does Hizzoner have to do?

Raise the $8-10 million for the coming California media campaign.

Stay tuned………

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (C) speaks at a news conference as he is joined by Californiaâ€™s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (L) and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca (R) in Santa Monica, California, August 17, 2006, urging California voters to support Proposition 83, Jessica’s Law on the November 2006 ballot. Proposition 83 calls for electronically monitoring sex offenders for life via a GPS system as well as allowing prosecutors to charge criminals who posses child pornography with a felony.

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