Why are the political parties trying to tell Florida when it can hold its primary?
That’s not exactly what they’re doing, although it’s close. Both national parties have rules intended to discourage states from holding primaries before Feb. 5, 2008. But the parties don’t control Florida’s primary – the state Legislature voted last spring to hold it Jan. 29. The parties’ rules actually concern selection of national convention delegates. They apply penalties – loss of half of more of the delegates – if a state party chooses its delegates based on a primary or caucus held before Feb. 5. The Democrats, but not the Republicans, allow exceptions for four “early states”: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Why those four states? Iowa and New Hampshire are the traditional early states, New Hampshire with the nation’s first primary and Iowa with the first caucus. Both are small states where candidates campaign in person before small groups, instead of on TV. Some political experts say that results in better informed voters. Nevada and South Carolina were added bec
