Culver confident Iowa will stay first
By Charlotte Eby Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2007
DES MOINES -- Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said Wednesday he is confident Iowa will remain the first caucus in the nation after a key meeting this weekend and called for sanctions against states that try to break party rules.
The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee will meet Saturday in Washington, D.C. They will decide whether several states' proposed primary and caucus dates are in compliance with its rules.
Some states, including Florida and Michigan, have made moves to set dates that would encroach on the advantages that have been carved out for states holding early primary contests, including Iowa and New Hampshire.
The committee could choose to impose sanctions on states that follow through with plans to hold primaries or caucuses that go against the nominating calendar. Those sanctions could include a loss of delegates to the national convention.
"I think there need to be consequences for those states that don't abide by the party rules," Culver said. "And historically, that has always helped us set the calendar. Without rules, it would be impossible to ever settle on a calendar."
Culver said party leaders in Iowa have worked for four years to secure Iowa's position, and said Iowa will do "whatever it takes" to keep the Iowa caucuses first.
Iowa's caucuses currently are set for Jan. 14, but state Democratic officials have indicated a willingness to move the date up to keep Iowa first.
Culver said he has been talking in recent days with DNC Chairman Howard Dean and New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, whose state holds the first primary.
"We're all kind of on the same page," Culver said. "We're keeping the lines of communication open, and because of that, I think that in the end it will bode well for the state."
Presidential campaigns are closely watching what happens at Saturday's meeting.
Earlier this week, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware came to the defense of Iowa and other states that hold early contests.
Tom Reynolds, a spokesman for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential campaign, said Richardson believes it is important the Iowa caucuses remain first on the nominating calendar because activists take their role seriously.
"They grill the candidates. They ask the tough questions, and they scrutinize the positions," Reynolds said.
But Reynolds said the campaign has plans in place for possible changes in the calendar.
"We're gaming out the various scenarios," Reynolds said. "But our campaign is well-positioned and prepared to respond to any changes to the schedule."
Carrie Giddins, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Democratic Party, said state Chairman Scott Brennan has been in touch with his counterparts in New Hampshire, as well as Nevada and South Carolina, which also hold early contests.
"Saturday should answer a lot of questions for us, in terms of the calendar," Giddins said.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee will meet Saturday in Washington, D.C. They will decide whether several states' proposed primary and caucus dates are in compliance with its rules.
Some states, including Florida and Michigan, have made moves to set dates that would encroach on the advantages that have been carved out for states holding early primary contests, including Iowa and New Hampshire.
The committee could choose to impose sanctions on states that follow through with plans to hold primaries or caucuses that go against the nominating calendar. Those sanctions could include a loss of delegates to the national convention.
"I think there need to be consequences for those states that don't abide by the party rules," Culver said. "And historically, that has always helped us set the calendar. Without rules, it would be impossible to ever settle on a calendar."
Culver said party leaders in Iowa have worked for four years to secure Iowa's position, and said Iowa will do "whatever it takes" to keep the Iowa caucuses first.
Iowa's caucuses currently are set for Jan. 14, but state Democratic officials have indicated a willingness to move the date up to keep Iowa first.
Culver said he has been talking in recent days with DNC Chairman Howard Dean and New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, whose state holds the first primary.
"We're all kind of on the same page," Culver said. "We're keeping the lines of communication open, and because of that, I think that in the end it will bode well for the state."
Presidential campaigns are closely watching what happens at Saturday's meeting.
Earlier this week, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware came to the defense of Iowa and other states that hold early contests.
Tom Reynolds, a spokesman for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential campaign, said Richardson believes it is important the Iowa caucuses remain first on the nominating calendar because activists take their role seriously.
"They grill the candidates. They ask the tough questions, and they scrutinize the positions," Reynolds said.
But Reynolds said the campaign has plans in place for possible changes in the calendar.
"We're gaming out the various scenarios," Reynolds said. "But our campaign is well-positioned and prepared to respond to any changes to the schedule."
Carrie Giddins, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Democratic Party, said state Chairman Scott Brennan has been in touch with his counterparts in New Hampshire, as well as Nevada and South Carolina, which also hold early contests.
"Saturday should answer a lot of questions for us, in terms of the calendar," Giddins said.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
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