Florida’s Primary Games
Our new state has confirmed its decision to hold its presidential primary election on January 29, 2008. Aside from the inevitable presidential campaign fatigue that the accelerated primary schedule is forcing on us, the primary problem with this schedule is that it violates the rules of the Democratic National Party and thus appears to prohibit Florida from having any delegates at the national convention next summer. Candidates have promised not to campaign in Florida because of the rules violation (the rule required Florida hold its primary February 5 or later, so for some reason Florida has decided one week was too much). One possible explanation for this ridiculous turn of events is that the Republican-led state legislature forced the early schedule to allow GOP candidates more face-time with Florida voters than the Dems, thus perhaps giving them an edge in the general election. However, the Dems in the state legislature have generally gone along with the plan to schedule the election early. Personally I would rather not have any primaries anywhere before March. I think we’re going to be sick of our next president from overexposure before he or she even takes office.