Editorial: New Hampshire can wait

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005 | 8:15 a.m.

A commission of the Democratic National Committee is giving serious thought to ending a long-held New Hampshire tradition, a decision that could increase Nevada's influence in choosing presidential candidates.

For more than 50 years New Hampshire has been the first state in the country to decide its choice among the presidential nominees. For many voters it is interesting to see how well candidates campaign New Hampshire-style -- up close and personal with the people, at dog sled races, town hall meetings, church services, private homes, diners and gift shops. How the candidates answer impromptu questions from down-to-earth residents of small towns can be revealing.

The Democrats, however, have a good argument in favor of allowing other states to provide momentum for presidential candidates. For example, New Hampshire, according to the 2000 census, is 96 percent white, hardly representative of the country, which is 75 percent white.

Why not give other states with more diverse demographics a chance to set an early tone for the contests?

And why not give Western states a chance to have an early say? Mike Stratton, a member of the commission, told the Reno Gazette-Journal that Nevada and Colorado could be selected to precede New Hampshire.

"Nevada could really become one of the most important states in the country," Stratton told the paper.

Under a plan being considered by the commission, Iowa and up to four other caucus states would choose a candidate before New Hampshire's primary.

A caucus state is one whose political parties, beginning at the precinct level, arrive at a consensus among their members about which candidate to support. In primary states the candidates are chosen directly at the polls.

The commission's plan would still leave New Hampshire with the first primary, but the state would no longer garner as much national attention (and economic benefit) and it would no longer be giving any candidate an early lead and the news coverage and fundraising edge that goes with it.

We support the commission's plan and hope that the Republican Party considers such a plan as well. If there is a decision to adopt the plan, Nevada, a caucus state, could actually influence the selection of nominees.

As it stands, by the time Nevada and most Western states vote, candidates already have the nomination sewn up. The New Hampshire tradition is quaint, but what is needed is a tradition that is fair.