Democrats to Alter Caucus Schedule to Boost Diversity

The Democratic Party's Rules and Bylaws Committee yesterday dealt a blow to New Hampshire Democrats hoping to keep their coveted place in the presidential nominating schedule, agreeing by voice vote to a plan that would place one or two caucuses between the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 14, 2008, and the New Hampshire primary eight days later.

The proposal, which grew from recommendations by a commission studying how to make the nominating process more diverse both racially and geographically, would also add one or two primaries after the New Hampshire contest but before Feb. 5 -- the date after which any state is free to schedule a vote.

The next step in the process is for states hoping to win an early place in 2008 to submit their proposals to the Rules and Bylaws Committee by April 14. Representatives from states hoping to move up can also make a personal pitch to the committee during the Democratic National Committee's spring meeting April 20-22 in New Orleans.

Most observers believe the additional states will come from the South and the West -- two rapidly growing areas that offer a diverse electorate. South Carolina, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Alabama and Mississippi are among the states under consideration.

Being chosen by the committee could mean not only considerable personal attention from Democrats considering a presidential bid in 2008 but also a considerable financial windfall for the selected state or states.

Despite having voted against the proposal yesterday, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan offered words of praise for the committee.

"The . . . committee was correct to note today that it would need future flexibility as it enacts the calendar recommended by the primary commission," she said in a statement. "This flexibility could save the committee from adopting a calendar that would make the nomination process narrower and less democratic."

New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner has threatened that if a state caucus is added between the Iowa and New Hampshire events, he will simply move up the date of the Granite State vote -- a power granted him by state law. Should Gardner go that route, the DNC could refuse to seat delegates from his state at the 2008 national party convention.