Iowa and New Hampshire: The First Contests
19 November 1997
IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNORS JOCKEY TO PROTECT CAMPAIGN 2000 ADVANTAGE
Governor Terry Branstad of Iowa and Governor Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire today announced the formation of a bipartisan commission whose role will be to solicit a pledge from presidential candidates in the 2000 race that they will not campaign in any primary that might be held earlier than the IA/NH contests. Already both states have seen disproportionate number of visits from presidential hopefuls. Discussion: Why does being first give these states disproportionate influence? Do you agree with Gov. Branstad that this is "a system that has worked well for the American people"? If Senator Robert Smith (R-NH) runs as a "favorite son" presidential candidate in 2000, as is rumored, will this diminish the traditional significance of the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary?