Michigan Primary Moving Up?
Could Michigan being moving up the 2008 primary calendar?
MI GOP Chair Saul Anuzis is optimistic that Michigan will join South Carolina on the first Tuesday of Feb. in the 2008 presidential primary season. Others familiar with the situation aren't as optimistic about Michigan moving up as there may not be 100% agreement in either party to go along with this. What we do know is that there is a concerted effort by some in Michigan to move up the primary (possibly even get the state to sanction and pay for it) to the kickoff of the non-IA-NH primary window.
This has ramifications for both sides of the presidential aisle if suddenly South Carolina isn't the non-NH kickoff state. Diluting that day with more primaries could actually enchance the importance of IA (a la 2004) and decrease the importance, of well, every other state. News of this possibility is leaking out just as the DNC primary calendar commission is meeting right now in DC. As we learn more, we'll let you know.