Congressman David Price (D-NC4) and former labor secretary Alexis Herman have been selected to lead a commission to consider reforming our current defunct system of choosing candidates. CNN has the story here:
Democrats mull changes to primary schedule
ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- The Democratic National Committee formed a 40-member panel Friday to study whether to shake up the dominance that Iowa and New Hampshire wield in presidential elections.
Former Labor Secretary Alexis Herman and Rep. David Price, D-North Carolina will lead the commission that is charged with studying the election calendar and recommending any changes.
The first meeting is slated for early next year, with regional hearings planned and a final report due by the end of 2005.
Officials in Iowa and New Hampshire vigorously oppose any changes. They argue that voters in those states are uniquely engaged in the primary process and give candidates a tough vetting, while a national nominating process would focus on large cities and neglect rural areas.
Reforming our archaic system of selecting candidates, with New Hampshire and Iowa having far too much influence, should be a top priority in building a new, modern, progressive party.
For some two minute activism, you can e-mail Representative Price and share your thoughts. He has been representing NC-4, which comprises the part of the Research Triangle containing UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Tar Heels!) and Duke University (DUCK FOOK) for many terms, and has always been a strong, moderate voice for southern progressives.