Sen. Reid and Rep. Clyburn to NH: Pick a Date and Stick with It

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid and South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn penned an opinion piece for the Politico today on the chaotic primary calendar. South Carolina, Nevada, and Iowa have set their dates, leaving New Hampshire, “which has approached setting its primary date as if it were as inconsequential as the date of a high school class reunion and not an important part of the nominating process for the next president of the United States,” as the last early state with a primary date uncertain.

Reid and Clyburn also swipe at Michigan and Florida, states which broke DNC calendar rules by moving up their primaries:

If Florida, Michigan or any other state wanted to be a part of the “pre-window,” its opportunity to say so was last year, when the decisions were being made. Florida and Michigan are important states in the general election, with issues that are unique and imperative to be addressed, but by unilaterally setting their dates in the “pre-window,” they are flouting the rules set up by the entire Democratic National Committee.

Notably, although they justify the DNC’s two approved additions to the primary calendar — their home states of Nevada and South Carolina — they do not defend the “pre-window” designations of Iowa and New Hampshire. Still, it is worth reading, and it is worth wondering how Bill Gardner will react to this criticism from two powerful congressmen — if he even cares.