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Primary Concerns
posted at 2007-03-13 12:38 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
The Senate Judiciary I committee is considering major changes to NC's presidential primary. Davie Republican Andrew Brock introduced a bill (S168) that would create a special 2008 NC presidential primary on Feb 5th, Super Tuesday, instead of its current date in May.
The upside? Well, we wouldn't be among the last 10 states anymore, so our opinion might count for something. The downside? First, the cost - 5.5 million. Second, the company - 14 other states are considering the same thing. Super Tuesday could become a quasi-national Primary Day. You can hear my story on it here.
Anyway, the J committee meeting got interesting when Sen. Tony Rand suggested avoiding the rush with an even earlier date - like January 29th - AND doing away with the presidential primary entirely in favor of a caucus system like Iowa's.
Rand's rationale? Well, letting the party faithful pick the winner seems to work pretty well for Iowa. And it would save the state money, because the parties would run the caucuses. After all, Rand says, most people don't vote in the primaries we already have - so why spend 5.5 million on another one?
The caucus idea was quick to catch on. Chairman Martin Nesbitt likes it, and Brock isn't opposed either. So they sent the bill back to Research to figure out whether caucuses might be a viable option. More on that at the next J committee meeting later this week.
Republican Presser
The joint Republican caucus has taken to holding weekly press conferences on Tuesday mornings this session. It's a pretty savvy move - it gives them a chance to talk about their own agenda, instead of just responding to whatever the Dems are talking about.
Today's topic? The death penalty. As you might guess, the GOP wants to bring it back out of its legal quagmire - and they're asking House and Senate leaders to take action. The N&O's Andrea Weigl has more on that.
Mea Culpa
Re yesterday's item on Lt Gov candidates - I've been informed by the Insider's Scott Mooneyham (who knows pretty much everything) that Winston Salem Dem councilman Dan Besse HAS in fact declared his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor. Whoops, sorry, Dan! So that leaves Canton Mayor Pat Smathers and Surry Rep Jim Harrell as the last (potentially) major Dem candidates who haven't officially declared.
Comments? Drop me a line.
