Note this report from the Des Moines Register about the Iowa caucuses. The Republicans have already confirmed Iowa's continuing place at the front of the Presidential nominating line, but apparently some Democrats aren't so happy with this tradition:
The credit some Democrats gave Iowa for launching John Kerry's presidential campaign has turned to disdain since the Massachusetts senator's loss to President Bush.
But scorn alone can't undo a 30-year tradition, Iowa Democrats say as Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe prepares to unveil a commission charged with recommending a 2008 nominating schedule.
"Until there's a viable alternative on the table, there will be a lot of steam blowing off out there, but nothing different will come of it," said Ames Democrat John Norris, who ran Kerry's winning Iowa caucus campaign.Some observers say the last time the caucuses' lead-off status faced as strong a challenge as they are now was 20 years ago, the last time a Republican had carried Iowa until last month.
"There seems to be a dynamic that if you are going to make a change, this is the right time," said Democratic consultant David Plouffe.
But Plouffe, who advised two-time presidential candidate Dick Gephardt, said there's no groundswell for an immediate change and that most Democratic National Committee members will await the panel's findings a year from now.
I really hope Iowa stays at the front of the line because they're good neighbors and tend to make good decisions. While some are critical of the Kerry victory, one wonders what they prefer--a Dean victory? Anyway, South Dakota had some amazing Presidential primaries in 1912, 1952, 1968, 1976, 1988, and 1992. How about moving up the SD primary to February for the 2008 contest? Perhaps this is something that the SD blogosphere could unite behind and advocate since the state legislative session is approaching in January. I've asked some legislators about it already and they seem interested. Any thoughts on this?
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