Governors seek primary in West

SANTA FE, N.M. — Several governors of Western states, who want their fast-growing region to flex more political muscle in picking presidential nominees, said Monday they will explore the possibility of a regional primary in 2008.

Gathering in New Mexico for the annual Western Governors Association meeting, the group also decried the lack of a reliable federal drought policy. Drought-aid packages can't always be counted on, and low-interest loans don't help with a problem that recurs yearly for farmers and ranchers, said Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns.

As for a Western regional primary or caucus, the governors endorsed a resolution to create a working group to develop a proposal for as early as 2008. The governors will aim at finding a common date early in presidential nominating season.

"It's critically important that the entire West be a battleground region, not individual states," said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who is head of the WGA.

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens said states would need to act within the next two years to approve changes in their laws if a Western primary or caucus is to be held for the 2008 presidential election.

"It's so clearly in our best interests that hopefully we can overcome the challenges of getting it passed by a number of state legislatures," Owens said.

A Western presidential primary isn't a new idea. Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt tried to organize a Western primary of eight to 10 states in 2000, but there wasn't enough interest. Utah and Colorado held primaries on March 10, 2000, and Wyoming held party caucuses.

Utah Gov. Olene Walker said she's optimistic there will be broader support for a Western primary in 2008.

"I have a feeling we've got the force with us — that we are going to come together, unite, come up with a plan and we are going to make a difference," she said.

One of the difficulties, the governors agreed, will be coming up with a common date.

Traditionally, the presidential primary and caucus season begins in Iowa in January for both parties, is followed by the New Hampshire primary and continues into June even though the party nominations are locked up by then.

In a presentation to the governors, Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, recommended Iowa and New Hampshire be replaced as the initial contests on the presidential campaign calendar. He said those states were not representative of the demographics or interests of the nation.