Parties' nominees likely to be decided by early February

World Peace herald ^ | April 15, 2007 | Donald Lambro/Washington Times

[FairOpinion]

Presidents Day next February may have a whole new meaning.It's likely that a third of all presidential primaries and caucuses will be held in the first two months of 2008, which means the parties' nominees could be known by early February, thanks to an "earlier the better" front-loading strategy emerging on the political landscape.

Critics warn the strategy will bypass many voters and lengthen the general-election campaign well in advance of the November vote.

In the previous primary season, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry effectively nailed down the 2004 Democratic nomination by March 2. But strategists in both parties now say that the nominees next year could be all but chosen by Feb. 5 -- when more than a dozen states are considering holding their nominating contests -- or by mid-February at the latest.

This speedup would heavily favor well-funded, well-known front-runners, such as New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who leads her chief rivals for the Democratic nomination, and former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, who has lengthened his lead for the Republican nomination by double-digit margins, according to most polls.

Some Democrats worry that the front-loading will create a longer general election period that could work against their party, costing their nominee's campaign more money to maintain visibility and voter interest. It also could give Republicans more time to beat up the Democratic presidential nominee.

"If some in my party see an advantage to an early nominee, they are underestimating the current situation," Mr. Galvin said. "History shows the Republican Party operatives are very effective at attacking us and that if you put a nominee up on Feb. 5, that will give them an awful lot of time to assault our candidate."

[FixitGuy]

Hate to see this starting so early.

It will be a complete cluster **** by Nov 2008.

[Freeper]

I understand the concept that “the selection” may be over by Feb 5 or so - - - - - but I am looking forward to a WHOLE NEWS STYLE of PowerTics as we watch the losers try to unseat the individual selected on 2/5. I really think that the most dirty of dirty PowerTics will just begin on that date as “secrete mud” is released in an effort to impeach the selected and cause a whole new round efforts by the (original) losers to become the NEW SELECTEE. It may really be interesting.

[R.W.Ratikal]

To all extents and purposes the candidates have already been declared. Except for any dark horses the Democrats have selected Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama or Bill Richardson. John Edwards, John Kerry, Al Sharpton will be stalking horses.

Republicans have selected, Rudy Guiliani (?), Mitt Romney, Condi Rice, and Fred Thompson. Tommy Thompson, Jeb Bush and Newt Gingrich will be the GOP stalkers.

[pfflier]

I can only remember how Howierd Dean was annointed so early in the 2004 process only to fall from grace when reality overcame the hype.