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Florida joins rush toward early primaryBy Pat Neal/CNN
March 3, 1999 MIAMI (March 3) -- Florida is one of the latest and largest states to announce it wants to move up its presidential primary. Supporters of the idea want to move it to one week before so-called "Super Tuesday," believing that would give Florida a bigger role in the nominating process. What used to be a February-to-June romance to pick presidential nominees may be finished by next March. More and more states are trying to leapfrog to the front."We're just trying to get back to the head of the pack," said Jack Latvala of the Florida State House. The early primary rush drew Republican presidential contenders to California this past weekend for the state GOP convention. California is joining New York and perhaps 11 other states in considering a March 7 primary. The Golden State used to hold its primary in June. "That's the day you either break through or you don't," said Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley. With so many states front-loading primaries, the nominating season will essentially be over next March. And who will that benefit? "The conventional wisdom is that if you've got high name recognition right now, the front-loading is going to be a great advantage," says Gary Bauer, the former president of the Family Research Council who has formed an exploratory presidential committee. Why? Because the big names have a better chance of raising big money needed to compete in several states simultaneously. "It makes it tough ... There's no question about it," said Republican presidential candidate Bob Smith. Big money is needed to reach delegate-rich states on opposite coasts. Television, not hand shaking, will be the way garner votes. "In California, it's hard to buy all the media, no matter how much money you raise or spend, because it's such a huge state," said Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who is considering running. Some critics contend front-loading primaries will consume candidates with raising money instead of grass roots campaigning on a state-by-state basis. That stair-stepping benefited Democrats Michael Dukakis in 1988 and Jimmy Carter in 1976. "The idea was that you had this kind of slow take-off pattern, that you could be the unknown, the Jimmy Carter, the Jimmy who in 1976 showed up in Iowa, carrying your own suitcases and do well there, and get a little money and go on to New Hampshire and do well there and get a little more money and you kind of go up the stairs," said Tom Fiedler of the Miami Herald. Florida contends moving up the primary makes it a player in a national nominating process. The idea has bipartisan support and is expected to be approved. Most here say it could give Gov. Jeb Bush's big brother George W. Bush a crucial victory should he decide to run. |
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MORE STORIES:Wednesday, March 3, 1999
• Florida joins rush toward early primary • McDougal lawyers may subpoena Lewinsky, Hiatt Steele • Monica tells her version of "foolish" Clinton affair • To watch or not to watch? A letter to Monica • Clinton promotes 'family first' legislative agenda • Transcript: Clinton discusses Democratic legislative agenda • Who's in, who's out in presidential sweepstakes • Ginsburg given unflattering portrayal by Lewinsky • GOP begins sales job for a tax cut • Cohen will explain Tripp's job • Sen. Thompson won't run for president • Babbitt seeks to fix Indian funds • Ventura: State of the state is great • Mayor who made derogatory comments about blacks resigns • Lewinsky book sales may fade fast • HMO debate shifts to what is 'medically necessary' • Changes could disrupt 2000 census • Breast cancer stamp raises more than $5 million • Lewinsky: Clinton 'a very sensual man' • Chaos erupts in Alabama statehouse
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