Presidential Campaign Gets Longer
Republicans in South Carolina Move Primary to January
The decision by the South Carolina GOP to move up their primary means that other states, such as Iowa and New Hampshire, are likely to follow; this is problematic for USA
It is starting to look like the 2008 Presidential election will have its combatants ready for action even earlier than usual. The decision by G.O.P.’s in South Carolina to have their primary on January 19th impacts the entire country. Because of state laws in Iowa and New Hampshire, they are both required to hold their caucuses/primaries 7-8 days before anyone else, and the move by South Carolina means that they have to act.
Under some scenarios drawn up by journalists, it looks very likely that at least one or more primaries will be held in late 2007. This would be the first time in American history that a primary was held in a different calendar year to the actual Presidential election.
Background to Primaries
The question that interested political watchers must ask themselves is why: the situation has become such that states are so keen to be the first to hold primaries that the future of the country could be harmed for the sake of this honor. There is no law in South Carolina that says they must be the first Southern state to hold a primary; in this case, it is purely for bragging rights and political favor that the lawmakers there want to be first in line. As for the states that do have laws regarding the process, it is equally ridiculous: why should it be mandated by state law that primaries in these states come before they do in other places?
Americans Lose When Primaries Are Early
The current situation is bad for the political future of the United States on so many levels. As political directors of most of the major campaigns have noted, it is troubling that their candidate must be ready for battle (and yes, it is increasingly an all-out battle in these matters) so early in the game. Americans get less of a chance to see the ideological differences of candidates when choices must be made so early on. Celebrity and popularity are so much more likely to win out when primaries/caucuses are being held in late December and early January. Many voters still have not heard or read enough information about the different candidates to know about whom they are voting for. This is why the situation as it stands now, which still includes primaries that many people think to be too early, is considerably better than the one today.
Late bloomers in the process, including Bill Clinton himself, need the chance to show why they deserve a chance, and those who peak too early, such as Howard Dean, need to show voters why they do not deserve to lead their respective party into the general election. The problem with having the primaries so early in the year means that voters have less of a chance to get to really know who it is that they are voting for.
Outcome
With the country so evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, the current debates, both between candidates on the same side and with those on the other side of the fence have been so refreshing. Considering this is the first time in 56 years that the Presidential campaign does not include an individual from the current Presidential-Vice Presidential ticket, it is all the more vital that 2008 is an election where the candidate with the best ideas for the way forward wins. The current decision by South Carolina to hold their primary even earlier than normal makes the idea that the outcome will benefit the average American even more unlikely.
