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The argument has been made many times before about why there would be better states to kick off the primaries. Some feel that Iowa and New Hampshire are quite small and carry little value in terms of electoral votes. Others may argue that the two states are not very representational of the United States. I would like to add a new argument for moving the early primaries to other states: the weather.
Whose masochistic idea was it to spend January in the freezing cold? Although this is a particularly bitter winter, when has there ever been pleasant weather in Iowa or New Hampshire in January? Or February for that matter? March should be the earliest month for consideration, but April would be even better. Take note that there are no primaries scheduled for the entire month of April. Iowa and New Hampshire can fill in the void.
What do people do when they work on campaigns? They go door to door. They drive around from one place to another. They have rallies. They greeting people and hand out flyer's as they enter major public places. What do these activities have in common? They are primarily outdoor activities. Unless you just want stay inside and use phone banks as your main form of campaigning, you have to go out and face the weather. This may seem to some as a clever way to test the candidates’ endurance and determination. But is it necessary to make the volunteers and the press do it as well?
So much emphasis has been places on winning these two races. Is it worth having the primary day during a month when there is a good chance that there could be snow or that it is simply to cold for many to go out?
Listen up Terry! I think my plan would work out much better for everyone. Florida is a great place to go in January. Perhaps the press would be so happy about being sent there during the dead of winter they may be more inclined cover the primaries better. When supporters come from all over the country to help out with the campaigns, they will be able to enjoy the Florida sun, (now that would make it so much more fun to volunteer on a campaign). Forget the fact that Florida is a HUGE state and is a swing state at that and it might actually make sense to drop a load of cash there. I won’t even mention about it possibly being more representative of the US. And if we need to add a small state with little electoral power that will most likely vote GOP during the general election anyway, we could have the Mississippi primary the week after.
2008? Maybe? I am still certain that the weather in January in Iowa and New Hampshire will still suck four years from now. So for now, as everyone is freezing their asses off working or covering the campaign, every one should keep in mind that Dukakis placed third in Iowa. He was able to move on and win the nomination and secure 46% of the popular vote in the general election.
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