Iowa Governor: 2007 Too Early for Vote

Gardner said in an interview Thursday that he does not want to push Iowa's vote into December, and he made it clear that he has new flexibility from the legislature to hold his state's primary on a day other than Tuesday, its traditional spot. New Hampshire elected officials are hopeful that Gardner will avoid any moves that provoke further disillusionment with the nominating calendar.

Iowa law requires the state's caucuses to be held at least eight days before any other event. Culver, however, said Friday that he is prepared to do "whatever it takes" to reach a satisfactory solution.

Other states figure into the discussions, however. The DNC authorized Nevada to hold the second caucuses of the year, on Jan. 19, and called for Nevada to vote after Iowa and before New Hampshire. That order would be jeopardized if New Hampshire moves earlier in the month.

Jamal Simmons, a spokesman for the Nevada Democratic Party, said that, so far, the state is holding to Jan. 19.

Michigan also is threatening to move its primary. Sen. Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) has long objected to what he sees as the privileged positions of Iowa and New Hampshire, and he forced the creation of the DNC commission that came up with the rules for 2008. Gardner is particularly concerned about any Michigan moves that would threaten his state's status.

Culver said Iowa and New Hampshire officials are in discussions to find a way to resolve the calendar questions, and he expressed hope that the national committee will sign off. "We'd rather not have to kind of reinvent the wheel here," he said. "Let's work with New Hampshire, let's work with the national parties and kind of get this finalized as soon as we can."

Staff writer Perry Bacon Jr. in Las Vegas contributed to this report.