Monday, September 3, 2007
3 Democrats to Skip Rogue Primary States
WASHINGTON -- Democrats Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden on Friday became the first presidential candidates to promise not to campaign in states that hold early nominating contests in violation of party rules.
The three quickly signed onto a pledge circulated by the four states that have the party's blessing to hold early contests _ Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. The pledge says they will avoid competing in any other states that vote before Feb. 5.
Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign said they were reviewing the letter and had made no decision about whether to sign it. But her aides have previously said she is committed to competing wherever there is a primary or a caucus.
Florida has scheduled its primary for Jan. 29, and will not have any delegates seated at next year's Democratic National Convention unless they change their plan in the next four weeks by order of the party. Michigan's governor was poised to sign legislation that would move its contest to Jan. 15 despite the threat of similar sanctions.
New Hampshire and Iowa also are considering earlier contests to maintain their influence, but the pledge does not prohibit candidates from campaigning in those states even if they go earlier than the national party allows.
In a statement e-mailed by his campaign, Dodd said the four states chosen by the DNC "offer a cross section of America and allow for voters to probe the experience and vision of candidates in a meaningful way."
"In this year, where the national media focus seems to be on celebrity and bank accounts, the role of these states is more important than ever," he said.
Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, said in a statement that the "process is completely out of control and only an agreement by the candidates can restore sanity."
"Each candidate for president should do whatever possible to preserve the established rules," Richardson said. "Anarchy in the nominating process does nothing to further the cause of changing America."
Biden campaign manager Luis Navarro said "it is time to end all the maneuvering around the dates of the early primaries and caucuses."
"The public despises this kind of maneuvering for political advantage," Navarro said in a statement. "If the Republicans want to play this way, let them. But we will not be a party to it."
Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said she is committed to the "special role" that the four states play and that she will campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire whenever their dates are set.
"A number of other states are undergoing a process," Elleithee said. "And we have repeatedly said we are going to let that process play out."
The John Edwards and Barack Obama campaigns did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
WASHINGTON -- Democrats Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden on Friday became the first presidential candidates to promise not to campaign in states that hold early nominating contests in violation of party rules.
The three quickly signed onto a pledge circulated by the four states that have the party's blessing to hold early contests _ Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. The pledge says they will avoid competing in any other states that vote before Feb. 5.
Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign said they were reviewing the letter and had made no decision about whether to sign it. But her aides have previously said she is committed to competing wherever there is a primary or a caucus.
Florida has scheduled its primary for Jan. 29, and will not have any delegates seated at next year's Democratic National Convention unless they change their plan in the next four weeks by order of the party. Michigan's governor was poised to sign legislation that would move its contest to Jan. 15 despite the threat of similar sanctions.
New Hampshire and Iowa also are considering earlier contests to maintain their influence, but the pledge does not prohibit candidates from campaigning in those states even if they go earlier than the national party allows.
In a statement e-mailed by his campaign, Dodd said the four states chosen by the DNC "offer a cross section of America and allow for voters to probe the experience and vision of candidates in a meaningful way."
"In this year, where the national media focus seems to be on celebrity and bank accounts, the role of these states is more important than ever," he said.
Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, said in a statement that the "process is completely out of control and only an agreement by the candidates can restore sanity."
"Each candidate for president should do whatever possible to preserve the established rules," Richardson said. "Anarchy in the nominating process does nothing to further the cause of changing America."
Biden campaign manager Luis Navarro said "it is time to end all the maneuvering around the dates of the early primaries and caucuses."
"The public despises this kind of maneuvering for political advantage," Navarro said in a statement. "If the Republicans want to play this way, let them. But we will not be a party to it."
Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said she is committed to the "special role" that the four states play and that she will campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire whenever their dates are set.
"A number of other states are undergoing a process," Elleithee said. "And we have repeatedly said we are going to let that process play out."
The John Edwards and Barack Obama campaigns did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
