Democrats prepare to upend presidential primary calendar

[brooklynite]

Politico

The list of states with the biggest say in Democratic presidential contests could get a big shake-up this week.

A flurry of public and private lobbying to reformat the longtime early-state lineup of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina kicked off again after the midterms, with the Democratic National Committee’s group reviewing the order set to meet later this week. Key Democratic leaders have been bombarded with phone calls and memos in recent days, while some elected officials, like Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), took their state’s case to the cable news airwaves.

The behind-the-scenes jockeying has intensified, but the most important player in the drama — the White House — has remained tight-lipped about how the schedule should shake out, according to several Democratic operatives involved in the process.

States like Michigan and Minnesota are trying to push in, while Nevada is making a play for first-in-the-nation status over New Hampshire. The committee has still left open the possibility of adding a fifth calendar to the slate, while it’s also been suggested that two states could hold their contests on the same day. It’s unclear just how much will change. But there is at least one clear preference from many Democratic leaders, both outside and inside these party deliberations: that Iowa be scrapped from its coveted first slot.

[TheProle]

1. I don't disagree that the early slate of states could use some shakeup

but Iowa, for many, is the starter pistol for primary season.

[jimfields33]

3. No matter what they do, they need to pick states that commercials are relatively inexpensive.

A lot of candidates don’t have big bucks at the beginning of the campaign. I’m sure New Hampshire will sue to keep it in the front of the line since there’s state law requires it Iowa can be fun, but they screwed the pooch and 2020. I was at Delaware would be a good place to have at the beginning. I think it would be relatively cheap to travel and do media whatever they turn out, I’m sure will be fine.

[TheProle]

4. Great points.

[brooklynite]

5. They won't sue; they don't have to,

Primaries are a STATE sponsored election. They’ll hold the Primary at the beginning of the cycle whether the Democrats want it then or not. Candidates will choose to participate or not, and the DNC will choose to recognize the results or not.

[brush]

2. By all means dump red Iowa as the first Dem primary.

That tradition no longer makes sense. IMO the first state should be a blue state, or a purple state trending towards blue to encourage Dem voter turnout in such a state in hopes that increased blue turnout carries over to the general election.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. Iowa and New Hampshire do not reflect the demographics of the party

These two states need to be moved back

[Bucky]

7. It'll never happen, but there should be a lottery among the small states for who goes early

It should definitely be a small state, but there ought to be a chance for a Rhode Island, Delaware, Arkansas, one of the Dakotas, New Mexico, or Montana to be the bellwether states. Having the same two states being the sifter election each cycle stinks of privilege.