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Nevada GOP moving presidential caucus to January
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Nevada Republicans decided Saturday to move up the GOP presidential caucuses to January to preserve the state's early voting spot, although it will cost the Silver State half its delegates at the national convention.
The GOP executive board voted to go ahead with plans to hold its caucuses on the Saturday following New Hampshire, once that state decides a new date. It will be after the traditional first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses.
Nevada moved its caucus date from Feb. 18 in response to Florida's decision on Friday to hold its primary Jan. 31, in an attempt to jump ahead of the four early voting states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
Under Republican National Committee rules adopted last year, any state that holds a binding presidential vote before Feb. 1 must forfeit half of its delegates.
In Nevada's case, that means half of the state's 28 delegates can't participate in the presidential nominating convention in the summer of 2012 in Tampa, Fla.
Nevada Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Tarkanian had considered moving the caucuses to the first week of February to avoid the delegate penalty while still holding the first vote in the West ahead of Colorado.
But Tarkanian and the executive board meeting by phone Saturday evening determined it was more important to hold the nation's third presidential vote than to hold onto a full slate of delegates.
The thinking is that the earlier Nevada has its caucuses to choose a White House favorite the more it can influence the outcome of the GOP nominating contest. A win or strong showing could give a candidate momentum while a weak finish could weed the field.
"We think the convention has become a bit of a formality," said former Nevada Gov. Robert List, an executive board member who voted to approve the move. "Our nominee will be decided by then. Forfeiting a few delegates is not nearly as important as preserving the very important role Nevada has now as an early voting state."
Tarkanian held out hope Nevada could work something out with the RNC to allow all of its delegates some role at the convention.
GOP Committeewoman Heidi Smith was the only member of the executive board who voted against moving the caucuses to January. She said it wasn't worth losing delegates or violating the rules.
Florida will lose the most delegates with its original total of 99. South Carolina has 50 and New Hampshire 23. Iowa has 28 delegates, but won't be penalized because its caucuses are not binding.
Republicans from Nevada, Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina are pushing the RNC to further punish Florida for ignoring the rules and shaking up the calendar, which it also did in 2008. Sanctions could include poor convention space and hotels.
Presidential candidates also could snub Florida, although that's unlikely given its importance and boost it gave last time to the GOP nominee: U.S. Sen. John McCain.
In discussions with the RNC earlier Saturday, GOP leaders in Nevada had discussed possible rewards for following the calendar rules, perhaps getting preferential treatment on the convention floor or invitations to special VIP events. But the RNC was noncommittal, which may have helped influence the state's decision.
The Florida move will mean changes, too, for Nevada Democrats who had been scheduled to caucus on Feb. 18.
The head of the Nevada Democratic Party, Roberta Lange, said Friday the party plans to move its presidential caucuses into January as well so the state remains the third to vote nationwide behind Iowa and New Hampshire. President Barack Obama faces no serious Democratic opponent.
Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919. Follow @lmyerslvrj on Twitter.
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There are good reasons why smaller states should be early caucus states: If big states caucus early, those are the only states that candidates will bother campaigning in. Money only goes so far. There is a concerted effort to shut out conservative candidates. In 2008, we had John McCain shoved down our throats. I am here to tell you, this left so many Republicans feeling ignored and apathetic.
Although I was to be a delegate to the 2008 NV State Republican Convention, it was not worth it to me, to spend the money, and waste my vacation days to attend, for John McCain. Other states had already made this decision for me, and many others.
Now, states like Nevada and South Carolina will have virtually NO VOICE and no input.
As for same-day registration for voting, our NV GOP State Party Platform states that we oppose same-day registration. Who is the genius that believes this is not a real election? In a significant way, it is a critical election! Republicans who are informed, and who participate in the elective process, have the right to determine who will best represent us as the Presidential Nominee in 2012! Our job is to encourage citizens to participate in the process, and convince them to register as Republicans.
Those who really care about selecting our nominee, will get their butts in gear and register, so that they will have a say in the process. How many UNIONS allow non-members to vote in their elections? Even if people join unions, they must be "members in good standing," for a period of time, in order to vote. How many other organizations allow non-members to participate in their elections, simply by joining on the day of the election?
The fix is in. I rest my case.
This mess is not over yet for chairman Amy Tarkanian.
Lobby-List said We think the convention has become a bit of a formality .. Our nominee will be decided by then.
How arrogant!
We don't need a convention. After all, guys like ME have already decided who our nominee is going to be. The rest of you should just shut up, pay your dues, and vote for whom we tell you.
Hey, Republicans! Your county/state conventions are just formalities, also. Don't throw away your money paying the registrations fees for them.
That goes DOUBLE for donating to List's annointed candidate.
Okay, here's the other question I want answered: Which of the delegates are stripped of their voice? Will it be the ones actually chosen at the state convention? Or will it be the "at-large delegates" who get the nod as a result of holding some position? In other words, if Amy Tarkanian and her cronies decided to do this, Amy Tarkanian should sit the national convention out.
American sheeple want to follow. Whoever wins the first few primaries will become the sheeples favorite. If the first few primaries held early were to be fixed, the masses will be more easily trained to support the "right" candidate. 2008 in NV being a prime example.
The NV GOP represents the BIG Government interests of the national party, not the small government interests of this state.
Heidi might be the only honest GOP in the world. The "Stupid Party" should be renamed the "Party of One".
Bobby "Lobby" List is beneath contempt.
message to NV GOP...be a leader, not a follower. let NV vote its vote, and take the full crew to the convention with pride, not trailing after others, with half a crew.
Nevada's GOP is caught up in the nation-wide movement to win the (short-term) battle. But, they need to think long-term to win the war.
Let's just hold it tomorrow!!! Who cares if we don't know enough about the candidates yet?
I wonder who is leading the Republicans in the Nevada polls? Could it be that it doesn't sit well with the National leadership? I can't find any data on who is ahead, but I just wonder.