Big States’ Push for Earlier Vote

Big states want a stake in nominating the next Presidential candidates. Small states like New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina -- by holding early primaries and caucuses -- have added influence in who gets the nomination. Big states are lining up to change the rules for 2008. From the New York Times:

"As many as four big states — California, Florida, Illinois and New Jersey — are likely to move up their 2008 presidential primaries to early next February, further upending an already unsettled nominating process and forcing candidates of both parties to rethink their campaign strategies, party officials said Wednesday."

The Times suggests the move would benefit major candidates with lots of money -- and quickly move dark horses to the back of the field. (NYT, HT: PoliticalWire.com)