GOP,  President 2012

President 2012: GOP Primary Election Calendar Still NOT Set

Good Grief.

The GOP POLS are ready – well almost ready, but the states who are all maneuvering for position to attract Republican campaign cash to their states from the campaigns are not ready.

RNC sanctioned scenario:

  • Iowa – February 6th
  • New Hampshire –  February 14th
  • Nevada – February 18
  • South Carolina – February 28th
  • Super Tuesday – March 6 (Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts,Vermont)

Or…..

States like Arizona and Florida — risking losing half their delegates and other penalties — set their primaries early, pushing Iowa, New Hampshire, and other states into January or earlier.

What to watch:

  • Arizona and Governor Jan Brewer who must announce her state’s primary 150 days in advance has until September 2 to set a January 31, 2012 primary date.
  • Florida has until October 1 to announce their date. The RNC’s deadline for a state changing its primary or caucus date is October 1.

Mitt Romney will want an early Florida primary to give him momentum going into Super Tuesday. Rick Perry will like the schedule as it is certainly set, since it is front loaded with Southern states where he polls the best.

But, is the field even set?