For too many years the small, demographically skewed states of Iowa and New Hampshire — which hold the nation’s first presidential caucus and primary, respectively — have played disproportionate national roles. Worse yet, Florida, a microcosmic, delegate-rich state with a key role in electing presidents, is reduced to bystander status when it comes to nominating them.
By the time Floridians cast primary ballots, more than half the states and the District of Columbia have already done so. Florida’s primary is all rubber-stamp ceremony and no substance.
The good news, however, is that incoming speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Marco Rubio will be pushing for a bill that will move up Florida’s 2008 primary date – to the week after New Hampshire’s. Florida, the nation’s fourth largest state, is currently six weeks after New Hampshire’s February primary.
Even better news is that the prospects are propitious. It’s something – more clout for Florida — that both Democrats and Republicans can readily agree on.
You go, Rubio.
Talk about hitting the ground running.