President 2008 Watch: South Carolina Moving to 2007 GOP Primary?
U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., steps off his campaign bus after arriving at the Iowa Statehouse before speaking to Iowa legislators in Des Moines, Iowa in this March 15, 2007 file photo. Aboard his campaign bus, the Arizona Republican entertains reporters with stories, answers their questions and heckles bloggers. But the level of exposure comes with a risk, McCain acknowledges, and plenty of apprehension for aides who at times have to cue him to stop. He doesn’t always listen.
The S.C. GOP has set a tentative date of Saturday, Feb. 2, for its presidential primary early next year. But that could change.
With the crush of candidates and early start to the 2008 presidential campaign, South Carolina has no choice but to leapfrog over everyone else to preserve the state’s traditional role in selecting the next Republican presidential nominee.
Under state law, political parties have the authority and flexibility to pick a primary date. The deadline for submitting a plan to the Republican National Committee is Sept. 4.
“We will change our date as often as we have to to remain the first-in-the-South primary,†vowed state Republican Party chairman Katon Dawson.
“We have a proud eight-year history when it comes to selecting our nominee,†Dawson said. “We’re determined to protect it,†even if that means pushing the primary up to October.
“That’ll be our trick-or-treat,†Dawson quipped.
Wow, an October 2007 Presidential primary election? This may change the dynamic of the race.
Advantage: McCain
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