Kearny Looks to Move Ohio Primary to January
Submitted by Admin on Fri, 07/13/2007 - 10:59pm.
After a couple hundred miles and a full day of Clinton events, this is the only thing that could snap me out of my stupor:
(Columbus) — State Senator Eric Kearney, with the support of Ohio Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Tom Roberts of Dayton and State Senator Shirley Smith of Cleveland, announced the introduction of legislation to change the date of Ohio’s presidential primary to the last Tuesday in January. The bill would move Ohio’s presidential primary from March 4, 2008 to January 29, 2008, increasing Ohio’s impact on the primary process.
Current Ohio law requires the presidential primary to be scheduled for the Tuesday after the first Monday in March, and was set years ago when the Super Tuesday primaries occurred in March of the presidential election year. With the advance of so many primaries to January and February, a March date is no longer timely for Ohio voters. The interests of cities, minority communities and organized labor suffer if the early nominating process is dominated by small, rural, right-to-work states.
“I believe it is critical that Ohioans have a voice in who the presidential nominees are before it is a foregone conclusion. The current primary date is so late, Ohio voters, including our substantial minority communities, will be disenfranchised if the date is not changed,” Kearney stated.
“Ohioans want the presidential candidates from both parties to come to our state, listen to our voices, and propose real solutions to our most pressing needs,” said Senator Roberts.
“The move of Florida to the last Tuesday of January opens the calendar for primaries to January 29, 2008, and the industrial Midwest should be represented along with the South on what could be a crucial primary election day,” Senator Kearney noted.
“As the key battleground state that decided the 2004 election, it just makes sense for Ohio to be a part of the process alongside Florida, which decided the 2000 election,” said Senator Smith.
My ongoing adventures with the NH Project, and gaining a firsthand grasp on the New Hampshire Primary this summer, have definitely helped mold my opinion here. I wouldn't be surprised if the good Senators Kearny and Roberts have already gotten calls from Prezzie campaigns tonight. This measure is that serious...and our legislators are fickle on this issue. Seriously, who knows which way the statehouse would go (and how many out of state interests would be involved) if they seriously consider this.
Be sure, I'll have plenty to weigh in on this one tomorrow from all angles.
For now, Cinci, Akron, and others are reporting.
It is a Good Idea
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 07/29/2007 - 12:04am.
I am encouraged to learn that there are Bomber Democrats.
The primary is a worthwhile pursuit. It gives Ohio a say in who will be the nominee. It is the only way that Ohio becomes part of the debate.
I have read a number of articles and posting that refer to a connection between the Ohio primary and U.S. Senator Obama's campaign. I just don't see the connection. Please explain the politics.
Why not hold the primary on a weekend? Jan 26 or 27?
Submitted by Tim Russo on Sat, 07/14/2007 - 11:32am.
Turnout for a late January election on a Tuesday is going to be a real problem, particularly in the community Senator Kearny wants to give voice to. I can't imagine the weather cooperating on January 29.
So if we're changing the law anyway, why not hold the primary on a Saturday or Sunday? Such a solution has always been a part of the debate about increasing turnout in American elections, why not give it a try in the context of a major presidential primary?
The weekend of January 26-27 is the off week before the Super Bowl. Turnout will not be a problem. In fact, almost nothing goes on that weekend. Except snow, ice, and wind chill.
If we were to do it on a weekend
Submitted by TheCablinasianRam on Sat, 07/14/2007 - 11:47am.
Voting should be done on both Saturday and Sunday to accommodate the religious observance. Of course, bad weather has never been an excuse used for people in New Hampshire.
97X . . . BAM
No. Bad Senator. Bad.
As much as I would like the idea that my primary vote would become more relevant, this is bad for democracy. Front loading stifles the ability of less-funded candidates to be competitive when they need money for a growing number of states.
Now, I like really like Senator Kearney and believe he's one of our most promising public servants in Ohio. Plus, we former Bomber Democrats must stick together. However, don't think his support isn't related to how connected he and his family is with Obama.
For the country, this is just a piece of a growing trend that is an incredibly bad idea. For a while, we've joked that we may someday have a National Primary. Sadly, it doesn't seem too funny anymore
97X . . . BAM