In some ways, we're kind of happy that we here in California have no say in any of the Presidential elections. Sure, it would be nice if our vote counted but at least we can turn on the TV without fear of being bombarded with that many campaign ads. We actually feel sorry for places like Ohio or Iowa and all those swing states for having to put up with all the attention they get during the elections. It's not fair they have to take the brunt of it.
But that's all about to change because the idea of moving the California primary up to February is becoming more and more of a done deal.The reason is because for politicians in the state, supporters made it an offer nobody could refuse. Essentially they'll put a measure stretching out term limits so all the legislators now don't have to be worried about being termed out. Or those that are about to be termed out can get all of their reelection cards in order and run this year. There's enough time between February and June to get something together for the primaries.
The deal is so sweet that Arnie is throwing in his redistricting measure for good measure and everybody is so gaga over the whole term limit thing that they don't even care what Arnie's up to. Hell, Arnie could wear make it so that he's allowed to wear his costume from Conan the Barbarian and be served by scantily clad women wearing sheet metal and the legislature wouldn't care.
And speaking of Arnie, there's an extra benefit to him. Rumors are flying that the reason he's in favor of it is because that term limit thing applies to him too. It's entirely possible he could use these laws to his benefit and run for a third time. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
You want to know what's scary about all of this? According to MSNBC this morning, if California moves their primary to February, Iowa and New Hampshire might move theirs up to late 2007. Which means we'll have to move our primary up to get closer to Iowa and New Hampshire which will make them move theirs up earlier and the next thing you know, we'll be voting all of this in June.
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The joke about all of this, is that we've tried this before and it has NEVER worked. Just moving the date up while everyone else does will NOT give us "more say" in the primary - the primaries will stack up so that people will be campaigning in multiple states around the country in a VERY short period of time. Which means that you'll not have the pleasure of seeing many of these people in person - they'll be on a plane most of the time or raising money.
Plus, having the nominee decided by the end of February means 10 long months of a general election. In 2004 that was a disaster for the Democrats who are pushing this now, and it's not good for the GOP in 2008 either. Better to just leave it where it is, and avoid the gimmes to the pro politicos.