Say the first two primaries were OK and SC

[LiberalBushFan]

What would the situation be now? Just curious about what people think on this.

[w13rd0]

1. Why gee...

...that's an interesting question. It's quite possible that Edwards or Clark would be the present frontrunner. Heck, all kinds of variables would be changed by that change of dynamic. But hey, the convention is in Boston. That makes things extra convienient. And besides, have you BEEN to Oklahoma? Home of the "Blue Vatican"?

But then again, I'm in Missouri, home of the Ozarks. "Branson, it's like Vegas, plus Jesus!" So are you saying there are regional predjudices at work in the presidential nomination process?

Heck, only way to settle this is with a massive battle of coin tosses, gunplay or...heck, maybe national primary day?

nah, because then candidates would ignore small states and go for the big dollars, most bang for the buck...

as if they don't do that already. but yes, the dynamics would be different...could do a lottery, or a draft.

"And candidate X has first pick by draw of straws. Candidate X selects Hawaii. Yes, Hawaii, why not get off to a sunny start."

[Bread and Circus]

2. That's an excellent question...personally, I think the whole

primary system is messed up. This whole idea of momentum
is absurd.

It's fine that Kerry will be the nominee or whatever but
frankly it all stems from a surprise win in Iowa. That's it.

It's kind of weird, yet everyone accepts it at face value.

If OK went first, we might be looking at Clark. If Washington,
then maybe Dean.

Count me out.

[LWolf]

3. Say all the primaries were held on the same day.

How would that change the picture?

[King of New Orleans]

4. Of course, in 1992

Clinton didn't win either Iowa or NH and that didn't exactly stop him.

I personally like having smaller states be the first couple of primaries. Forcing the candidates the do ground level campaigning before it all becomes TV and staged events (which is all campaigning in NY and California can be).

Having said that, Missouri would be a good choice for an early primary despite it's size. It has a good mix of urban and rural North and South (or at least Midwest and South).

Maybe if the campaign could have started Iowa, Arkansas, NH, New Mexico and then moved on to bigger states and multistate primary days it could be a little more equitable.

Still, people in Iowa and NH do take their responsibility seriously. And the reasons they vote for candidates aren't utterly foreign to people in other parts of the country even if there may be regional/cultural differences.