ith some Republicans peeved at New Hampshire's primary status as first in the country, the political pride of the Granite state is on the chopping block as members of the Republican National Committee explore a new system of nominating presidential candidates.
Other states have long called New Hampshire's starring role unfair. With the growth of the Republican Party in the Southwest and West, many Republicans wonder why any lawmaker seeking the party's nomination should have to begin with voters in the Northeast.
And this year, with California's decision to hold its primary March 7th, the GOP nomination was effectively wrapped up before voters in about two-thirds of the other states had an opportunity to cast a ballot.
''The Rules Committee has about had it,'' said Tom Rath, a leading New Hampshire Republican and a member of the committee. ''The whole process is very much in flux.''
Yesterday, the Rules Committee took no action that would affect New Hampshire or Iowa, other than holding a series of test votes to ferret out friends and foes of the various restructuring plans. More debate and votes could be taken tomorrow at the first meeting of the convention rules committee.
Iowa holds caucuses even earlier than the new Hampshire primary.
Three options are being considered, with consequences for New Hampshire.
The Delaware plan would have a dozen of the smallest states hold primaries first in March, followed by medium-sized states and then by the largest states. New Hampshire and Iowa, which holds the first caucuses, would be treated like all other states under this system.
The Ohio plan would let the smallest states hold their primaries first, followed by states in one region of the country to the next. Those regions would rotate their order every presidential election. And Iowa and New Hampshire would continue to precede every other state.
The flexibility option, which is backed by New Hampshire Republicans, would shelve the Delaware plan and allow the Republican National Committee to decide on rules between conventions, as well as to negotiate on dates with Democrats.
Delegates from California and New York have threatened a floor fight on Monday, the first day of the convention, if the Republican National Committee approves the Delaware plan. In response, operatives working on behalf of Texas Governor George W. Bush have made it clear that the presumptive nominee would prefer the flexibility plan, avoiding any confrontation and putting off a permanent solution.
The Democratic Party faces none of this squabbling because its rules dictate that no state other than Iowa or New Hampshire may hold its primary or caucus earlier than the first Tuesday in March.
