Early States Rule as Dems Sign Pledge
EmailABC News’ Teddy Davis reports: State party leaders from Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina have effectively persuaded all the Democratic presidential candidates- even the well-funded top tier candidates Clinton, Obama and Edwards- to sign a pledge promising not to campaign in any state that schedules its contest pre-February 5 other than Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina- the four states which the DNC has picked for special front-of-the-pack status.
For the second-tier candidates, signing the pledge was a no-brainer: they simply don’t have the money to campaign in a state like Florida.
In signing the pledge, the well-funded top Democratic candidates are bowing to the reality that the early states will continue to play an outsized role in bestowing momentum and media acclaim. By agreeing, Clinton, Obama and Edwards ensure that they do not offend early state Democrats who jealously guard their role as inhabitants of presidential testing grounds.
The letter urging the Democratic contenders to sign the pledge went out Friday. Befitting her role as the national frontrunner, Clinton was the last one to sign the pledge. But, the former first lady fell into line on Saturday afternoon in a statement released by her campaign manager.
"We believe Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina play a unique and special role in the nominating process. And we believe the DNC’s rules and its calendar provide the necessary structure to respect and honor that role," the campaign statement said.
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What do you mean befitting her role as front runner…please. She caved. She had no choice. A front runner as you put it or true leader would have said it first. But of course she had to wait for her poll results
Posted by: Dave | September 1, 2007, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
The “I MUST BE FIRST” BS of state parties is making a further mockery of the election process. NOBODY wants primary elections so early. NO STATE IS MORE “SPECIAL” THAN OTHERS FOR THE PRIMARY. The endless series of “debates” in which the same-ol’ candidates repeat the same-ol’ canned statements over and over again is further turning-off the voters. THREE MONTHS of campaigning for the party nomination via a nation-wide primary, then THREE MONTHS campaigning for the election is more than enough time for any candidate to get their message to voters and to let voters know who they are.
Enough is enough with Moron states like Florida, Wyoming, Michigan and others and this perverted process of being “first”. Voters are sick of it.
Posted by: ALEX H. | September 1, 2007, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
I don’t think that Clinton is on board yet. Maybe ABC knows something other news sources don’t.
Posted by: cliff jones | September 1, 2007, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
Unfortunatly for all of the Democratic Candidates, except for Hillary, Bush isn’t running for a third term, Bill Clinton is. It has become painfully obvious to him that with Bubba back in the White House with Hillary, there won’t really be a need for a VP apart for a photo op. Besides, Bubba’s Ego would be too huge to accomodate another Alpha Dog in the White House.Once Hillary has solidified her grip on the nomination, she will surprise most everyone with her selection of EVAN BAYH as her VP. This will clinch the midwest with his pedigree from Indiana. She really doesn’t have to worry about the black electorate getting upset because she disses Obama for they are almost canine in their traditional loyalty to the Democratic Party. The Democrats (re: Howard Dean’s racist remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus)have them brainwashed, so where else will they take their vote? Besides, all they need to do is to unleash Al and Jesse on Obama’s ‘black-enuffness’ and the blacks will fall in line. The white moderates who support the ‘harvard fried socialism’ of Obama will also support Hillary’s model for reform anyway. That’s the plan.
Posted by: John D. Patriot | September 2, 2007, 12:49 am 12:49 am
and what was with all the clapping and cheering these people have no honor – you would have thought the guy was just steping down because he wanted to go golfing if you were not following the news! cherring and on a man who hit on a sworn police officer is stupid our men and women in uniform deserve better!!! -
Posted by: torey | September 2, 2007, 1:20 am 1:20 am
John Edwards has all the ingredients of a great president.
Posted by: impeachbush999 | September 2, 2007, 2:04 am 2:04 am
John Edwards is the candidate the Mortgage Our Grandchildrens Future So Cheney/Halliburton Can Stack Up More Taxpayer Dollars In Dubai crowd fear.
Posted by: ommish | September 2, 2007, 8:38 am 8:38 am
I’am a Dem, I live in Florida, and I was going to vote for Hillary. If they skip Florida, I will be voteing Rep for the first time. To think in 2007, Iwoa is more important is just crazy. Gore lost Florida and so will the Dem’s Who knows what they are thinking. Florida schould be the only state that matters to a Dem Without it we get another Rep. I will just have to live with it.
Posted by: MIchael | September 2, 2007, 8:47 am 8:47 am
Michael,
I’m also a Floridian. These “front runners” won’t campaign in the state!!! Well all you front runners I got news for you, don’t ask us for contributions or votes. I for one plan on staying home and not voting at all for the first time in life. I may just change my party affliation to independant.
Posted by: Nancy | September 2, 2007, 10:54 am 10:54 am
Now, if they would only do the right thing and vow to run altogether.
Posted by: Chas | September 2, 2007, 11:29 am 11:29 am
This rouge states should of thought about moving their dates up last year and not at the last minute. They are making a mockery of our election system.
Posted by: sonya | September 2, 2007, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
this is crazy and embarrasing!!!let the states do what the heck they want as long as they don’t try to hold the primary in dec let them have at it as they please! it will be real funny to the dems play themselves and lose the election to the republicans because they are so disfunctional! this is easy the states make up the party so give them that respect!
Posted by: Montorey | September 2, 2007, 8:49 pm 8:49 pm
John Edwards is the best choice for America.
Posted by: chicaqopoetry | September 3, 2007, 10:52 am 10:52 am