Hold the line on Jan. 3 caucus date

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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Iowa Republican leaders made the right call in locking down the date of Iowa's first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses.

Setting Jan. 3 as the 2012 caucus date ended weeks of uncertainty and speculation, sparked by Florida's misguided decision to move up its primary date in blatant defiance of party rules. Florida's move forced Iowa, New Hampshire and other early states to scramble to keep their traditional leadoff roles.

It was once feared that Iowa might have to move its caucuses into December, an unprecedented decision that likely would have diminished the caucuses' importance and influence on the presidential race. A January date avoids that possibility. Iowa's 2008 caucuses were also held on Jan. 3 after a similar rush by states to front-load the process. So, near New Year's caucusing is nothing new.

Unfortunately, New Hampshire's traditional, first-in-the-nation primary remains in limbo. State officials there are threatening to move the primary to early December unless Nevada, which moved its caucuses of Jan. 14, agrees to a later date. There are signs Nevada may be willing to move again, but the saga may drag on indefinitely.

Regardless of what New Hampshire and Nevada decide, Iowa's date should remain in place.

Certainty is a valuable commodity not only to campaigns vying to win the caucuses but also for Iowa Republicans laying the logistical groundwork in precincts across the state. Iowa's caucuses may be a national event, but they take place in community centers, cafeterias, gyms and other local spots must be reserved. The party's decision lets that happen.

So the state party deserves credit. But the national party had better figure out some way of avoiding this mess in the future. Clearly, the sanctions threatened for breaking the calendar are not enough. Iowans, the candidates and the country were better served by the original plan for a later start. We'll adapt to Jan. 3, again, but this dashing for dates has to end.

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