Illinois speaker wants to help Obama
Illinois speaker wants to help Obama
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The powerful speaker of the Illinois House said Wednesday he wants to help Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record)'s possible presidential bid by moving up the state's primary, figuring it will give the Democrat an early win.
Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan proposed moving the March 18 Illinois primary to Feb. 5. A long list of states have primaries scheduled that day, but only four states — Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina — would be earlier than Illinois.
"These states are not representative of mainstream America. They're clearly not as representative of America as Illinois would be," Madigan said. "But if Barack is a candidate, recent history tells us the selection process may be finished before it reaches the Illinois primary."
Madigan said he has not spoken to Obama nor his aides about the proposed change. He also denied any inside knowledge about whether the freshman Illinois senator has decided to run.
With plenty of Obama fans in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature, Madigan's proposal should have a good chance of passing. Other officials, however, weren't ready to commit to it immediately.
Senate President Emil Jones said he wants to discuss the idea with Obama, his political protege. "This came out of the clear-blue sky. I don't know whether that would help Obama or hurt him," Jones said.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross wondered about the impact on voter registration deadlines and other administrative chores.
The Democratic National Committee has been encouraging states to move primaries to a later date in the process.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070111/ap_on_go_pr_wh/on_the2008_trail_12
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The powerful speaker of the Illinois House said Wednesday he wants to help Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record)'s possible presidential bid by moving up the state's primary, figuring it will give the Democrat an early win.
Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan proposed moving the March 18 Illinois primary to Feb. 5. A long list of states have primaries scheduled that day, but only four states — Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina — would be earlier than Illinois.
"These states are not representative of mainstream America. They're clearly not as representative of America as Illinois would be," Madigan said. "But if Barack is a candidate, recent history tells us the selection process may be finished before it reaches the Illinois primary."
Madigan said he has not spoken to Obama nor his aides about the proposed change. He also denied any inside knowledge about whether the freshman Illinois senator has decided to run.
With plenty of Obama fans in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature, Madigan's proposal should have a good chance of passing. Other officials, however, weren't ready to commit to it immediately.
Senate President Emil Jones said he wants to discuss the idea with Obama, his political protege. "This came out of the clear-blue sky. I don't know whether that would help Obama or hurt him," Jones said.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross wondered about the impact on voter registration deadlines and other administrative chores.
The Democratic National Committee has been encouraging states to move primaries to a later date in the process.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070111/ap_on_go_pr_wh/on_the2008_trail_12
posted by presgore19 at 2:52 AM
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