DemNotesBlog for Colorado Democrats by State Party First Vice Chair Dan Slater

I am now sitting in the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws meeting here in New Orleans. The Committee is hearing presentations from the ten (or eleven?) states that are bidding for cconsideration as “pre-window” states during the 2008 Presidential nominating calendar.

For those of you who haven’t been following this too closely, let me explain. Over the past year, the DNC has had a “Commission” exploring possibilities for adjusting the Presidential nominating calendar. As it stands now, Iowa is guaranteed the first position, with New Hampshire’s “first-in-the-nation” primary shortly thereafter. After New Hampshire, there is a “window” during which states are not allowed to hold primaries or caucuses.

The DNC’s Commission recently recommended a significant change to this process. While Iowa’s caucuses would still be first, the DNC is looking at putting one or two caucus states between Iowa and New Hampshire. In addition, they are looking at allowing one or two states to hold primaries during the “window” after New Hampshire. One of the biggest reasons for this is to increase geographic and ethnic / racial diversity in the nominating process.

The Rules and Bylaws Committee has invited state parties to submit proposals indicating interest in either of these windows. Ten states sent in proposals by the deadline (Nebraska has also sent a proposal this week). Those states have all been invited to make a presentation today to the Committee.

Oh, and Colorado is bidding for the “Second-in-the-Nation Caucuses”. From what I can tell, the other states bidding for the early caucus position between Iowa and New Hampshire are Arizona, Nevada, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Nebraska and Michigan have stated that they are flexible enough to be considered for either window. Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and South Carolina are bidding for the primary position.

As many of you know, I have long been advocating bringing early caucuses and primaries out West, as part of a three-pronged plan to increase the West’s national visibility. The West is well-represented here today. Nevada and Arizona are also giving presentations — Nevada is the early favorite to win one of the caucus spots. However, Colorado has a lot to offer, and Pat Waak and I made a compelling argument, I think, that Colorado has a long history and ability to put together caucuses at this level.

I’ll keep you updated as things progress. Early caucuses would definitely mean lots more visits to Colorado by our Presidential candidates, and lots more attention paid to Western issues, such as natural resources use and the environment. The DNC is not expected to make a final decision for several months.

They’re going in alphabetical order; as I mentioned, Colorado has already given our presentation. Michigan just finished, with Michigan Chair Mark Brewer being grilled on the size of his state (several members argued that Michigan is too large to be granted such an early position), and Mississippi is now finishing its presentation, and fielding questions from the approximately 25 Committee members present.