Pondering Presidential Primaries in 2012

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

As everyone knows, the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary have jealously guarded their "first in the nation" status in presidential primaries.

Both states now recognize same-sex marriages.

Mark Nickolas at politicalbase.com poses a great question: Will GOP Change Presidential Primary Calendar To Punish IA, NH Over Gay Marriage?

Here's something to ponder…now that New Hampshire yesterday became the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage (along with IA, MA, VT, CT, and ME), will the conservatives who are firmly in charge of the GOP move to punish New Hampshire and Iowa for moving in this direction by stripping both of their vaunted presidential status as the first caucus state and primary state?

Frankly, a move for some balance and diversity in the presidential primary process is long overdue, and this might be the needed catalyst to get the parties to make some changes. But my gut tells me the debate is about to accelerate very quickly.

Consider this: if the first primaries in 2008 had been a "Super Tuesday" primary of several Sourthern states, Mike Huckabee may very well have scored a knock-out punch against his GOP rivals. He would have been the candidate with momentum and been labeled the "presumptive nominee" by the media villagers and Beltway bloviators. Scary, isn't it?