Illinois speaker wants to help Obama

[rebel with a cause]

Illinois speaker wants to help Obama
By CHRISTOPHER WILLS, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jan 10, 6:04 PM ET

The powerful speaker of the Illinois House said Wednesday he wants to help Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record)'s possible presidential bid by moving up the state's primary, figuring it will give the Democrat an early win.

Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan proposed moving the March 18 Illinois primary to Feb. 5. A long list of states have primaries scheduled that day, but only four states — Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina — would be earlier than Illinois.

"These states are not representative of mainstream America. They're clearly not as representative of America as Illinois would be," Madigan said. "But if Barack is a candidate, recent history tells us the selection process may be finished before it reaches the Illinois primary."

Madigan said he has not spoken to Obama nor his aides about the proposed change. He also denied any inside knowledge about whether the freshman Illinois senator has decided to run.

With plenty of Obama fans in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature, Madigan's proposal should have a good chance of passing. Other officials, however, weren't ready to commit to it immediately.

Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press.
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See complete article at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070110/ap_on_go_pr_wh/on_the2008_trail_11

[rebel with a cause]

1. Ok, this thread is obviously a dud, so I will add just this to my OP.

I am all for moving up the primary, not just because it might help Obama, but because I am tired of having the candidates already picked before I get to vote on it. I voted for my candidate in 2004 even though he had already dropped out. This time, if I am around, I would like for my vote to count. I think all the primaries should be moved up closer to the same time. Now in days of mass media and the ability to appear in several places in one day, it would be possible for the people to be informed and have access to all the candidates in a shorter time period. This is JMHO.

[Nickster]

2. Essentially your idea is what was recommended wayyyy back in the Ervin committee report

on Watergate. I'm all for it.