ROCKY MOUNTAIN POLITICS

Can The West Squeeze its Way Into ‘08 Primary?

By Headwaters News, 12-15-05

The recommendation of a Democratic National Committee panel to add one or two primaries and/or caucuses to the early presidential primary schedule has sparked interest in a Western primary.

Daniel Kemmis gives a good review of what the recommendations means for the West and how it could affect the drive to bring a more regional focus to presidential politics in Headwaters News' Western Perspective.

A Santa Fe New Mexican story earlier this year outlined efforts of New Mexico Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson and Utah's Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s plans to coordinate simultaneous state presidential primaries and caucuses in early 2008. Republican Idaho An Associated Press article indicated that Gov. Dirk Kempthorne has expressed some interest, as has Democratic Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. Democratic leaders from Colorado and Republican Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn have also said they are interested.

The idea gained traction at the recent Democratic National Committee meeting in Phoenix. There, Democrats for the West encouraged the national party to adopt the idea. Organization leaders circulated a petition (also available online through Dec. 15) seeking support for an idea. The primary is also supported by the Western Governors' Association.

For the Rocky Mountain West, the idea makes a lot of sense. As the region grows in population and diversity, it seeks to graduate from its "flyover" status into a region with real clout in the country. Its issues are national — most notably immigration, energy development and urban growth — and its leaders are commanding more attention across the country. A Washington Post article said ,any Democratic governors, such as Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, have become examples for the rest of the party seeking to emulate the populist leader model. And though he hasn't publicly admitted it, yet, New Mexico's Richardson is acting like a contender for the Democratic presidential ticket in 2008.

And two national stories today may give the push for a Western primary additional traction.

First, a story out of the New York Times says New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who is often touted as a potential presidential candidate, may get a galactic boost out of the state's new deal to build a spaceport with British entrepreneur Richard Branson.

Richardson's campaign planners said the governor's willingness to work with the private sector on innovative projects sets him apart as a "different kind of Democrat."

And another New York Times story that Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's decision not to seek re-election is also fueling speculation the Republican will pursue a presidential bid.

Romney's position as a Republican leader in a primarily Democratic state and his Mormon faith may bolster support for him in Utah, Idaho and other Western States.

There is another force at work here though, which could benefit the idea. The Republicans haven't chimed in much yet, but the Democrats are making noise that the primary structure needs tweaking. The two early events, a primary in New Hampshire and a caucus in Iowa, focus too much attention on two states that don't represent that party's growing diversity in population and issues.

A Denver Post article indicated that Democratic Party leaders want to broaden the primary season and geography so that more issues and different people are represented earlier on. Most absent, they say, are Westerners, Southerners and Hispanics.

During the past election, more states held their primaries earlier, but that just seemed to clutter the season and didn't make much difference. Instead, adding a few key states either between the New Hampshire and Iowa events or right after, might force the diversity of people and issues to bubble up to the surface more.

The key for proponents of a Western Primary is that one or more Western states have a shot at these influential slots. After last week's meeting, it seems Nevada stands the best chance, but Arizona and Colorado might also be considered.

The big appeal for Nevada is its booming population, including its Hispanic population. The state also hasn't formally joined the push for a collective regional primary on the same day, making it more independent from the idea. (Colorado hasn't joined that cause, either.)

Perhaps the Democrat's biggest ally is Colorado's Michael Stratton, a member of a Democratic Party commission charged with reviewing and making recommendations on changes to the primary structure. Stratton was at the DNC meeting in Phoenix promoting a Western Primary and handing out the petition.

He's also quoted on the Democrats for the West Web site as saying, "The future of the Democratic Party lies out West, because it's home to some of the fastest growing areas in the country. The Democratic Party needs to put western issues and western values out-front. That means talking about the things that are important to communities in the Rocky Mountain region — energy, water rights, natural resources…"

It also means bringing those issues from the Rocky Mountain West to inside the Beltway, which is something most Westerners would support — or would they?

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