Connecticut's moving up

Secretary of State Susan Bysiwicz proposes moving up Connecticut's primary date,

Interesting proposal.

From the Sec. of State's office.

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz stood with State Senators Gayle Slossberg and Edward Meyer at a news conference Tuesday morning at the State Capitol to propose moving the date of Connecticut 's 2008 Presidential primaries, currently scheduled for March 4th, to Feb. 5th.  If adopted, Connecticut would join 22 other states - comprising more than 40% of the nation's population - which are planning to hold a primary or caucus on Feb. 5th.

"Connecticut voters deserve to have their voices heard," said Bysiewicz. "As more and more states move their primary date up and leapfrog over Connecticut , our residents are in danger of effectively being disenfranchised. By having Connecticut join this so-called `Super-duper' Tuesday, we are ensuring voters will be able to have an impact on this crucial election."

"We want the people of  Connecticut to have a say in the Presidential primary and not just be a stopping ground to raise money for candidates," said Sen. Slossberg. "This change of date will bring more attention to  Connecticut as other states have moved up their primary dates."

"Our choice of the next president is probably the most important political decision we will be making in the next decade and Connecticut should participate in that decision making," said State Sen. Edward Meyer. "An early February primary gives us that opportunity."

"It is troubling that as one of the most important presidential elections of our time approaches, the current primary calendar makes Connecticut voters nearly irrelevant," and Andy Sauer, executive director of Connecticut Common Cause. "Candidates -- especially those caught in close races -- will spend their bucks on the state's that deliver the biggest bang and the most votes. The people of Connecticut should have as much a say in the future of their party and county as the voters in New York , California and Texas."

Under the proposal, Section 9-464 of the general statutes would be repealed and the following language would be substituted: On the first Tuesday in February of each year in which the President of the United States is to be elected, each party shall conduct a primary in each town if the names of two or more candidates are to be placed on such party's ballot in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

As I stated by on MLN, I'm not a big fan of moving the primary date simply because moving up the date gives candidates who are not front runners less time to raise money.

Here's video footage of Bysiewicz's presser.