Long Democratic primary spells continued state focus

Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Editorials

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However, there is a unique added benefit to the current primary process that we feel is the most important of all - the focus the states continue to receive because of their overall contribution to the nominating process. We have editorialized in the past on the benefit of being able to weigh in on the presidential primary as residents of Ohio. Who would have thought that such an opportunity would be extended to Pennsylvania, and now to Indiana, Oregon, Montana, South Dakota, Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia? All these states continue to matter and all of their voting populations matter like they never have before. Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has come under fire for what some feel is mismanaging the primary process, but even he admits that the power is out of his hands. The decision of superdelegates and the national committee to not jump the gun on the primary process is a testament to this political power of the citizenry and it's not one that we should underestimate or mitigate because it's not politically convenient for the candidates.

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