June 26, 2009
Posted: June 26th, 2009 04:53 PM ET

From

WASHINGTON (CNN) – It may be the last thing anyone wants to talk about, thanks to lasting memories from the very long, historic and contentious 2008 presidential campaign, but committees from both the Democratic and Republican parties already looking into revamping the way they pick their presidential nominees.

2012 may be years away, but the Democratic National Committee's Democratic Change Commission holds its first meeting this Saturday. The commission's looking at three issues that dogged last year's marathon primary battle between then-Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Their goals: changing the window of time during which primaries and caucuses may be held, reducing the number of unpledged delegates, and improving the caucus system.

A number of states moved up their contest dates and two of them, Florida and Michigan, were penalized by the national parties. There was also a controversy over the clout of superdelegates in the Democratic nomination battle between Obama and Clinton. Obama won a majority of pledged delegates, but needed the support of superdelegates to clinch the nomination. Superdelegates are party officials, members of Congress and state office holders. They are unpledged delegates who are free to support the candidate of their choice

Work on the Republican side is already underway. The Republican National Committee's primary committee met on Monday, beginning a fact-finding process that could result in some alterations to the primary calendar in the next presidential campaign.

Democrats have always been able to make changes to party rules between conventions, a luxury now afforded to Republicans, thanks to a rule change that was approved at last year's Republican Party convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Among the issues the Republicans are dealing with is the front-loading of the primary calendar. Between the two parties, contests were held in 24 states on Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

Filed under: DNC • RNC


Blue Tiger   June 27th, 2009 12:46 am ET

I'm glad to see that both parties are attempting to reform the (greatly flawed) primary system. However, the proof will be in the pudding.

Alfred E. Neumann   June 26th, 2009 9:44 pm ET

Make it a regional primary system held on four dates – East, South, Midwest and West. Enough of this emphasis on Iowa and New Hampshire.

Eliminate the caucuses – kick em to the curb!

Eliminate the "superdelegates".

Keep the debates open to those managing at least 15% in the polls.

And finally – winner take all!

Michele   June 26th, 2009 9:19 pm ET

Ooohh, it's a big political meeting! Can Sarah come and speak? Pretty please? She has a PAC now to pay for her travel. (Just who are the dopes giving money to her anyway? I want to see a list!)

Ann   June 26th, 2009 9:14 pm ET

artigiano "Republicans would do well to study Obama 2008. But frankly they aren't that bright, and probably will run Dole 1996 all over again."

Voters would do well to open their eyes and not be fooled again. To have the option of a Hillary Clinton and not take it, was beyond the stupidity of voting twice for President Bush.

arjay   June 26th, 2009 9:11 pm ET

i kind of can't wait to see how some of the more intelligent republican candidates are going to handle alaska barbie and her total lack of any semblance of intelligence. it ought to prove entertaining.

David   June 26th, 2009 9:01 pm ET

Hey DNC – prepare for no Gay dollars. Figure that into your 2012 loosing agenda!

RSB   June 26th, 2009 8:38 pm ET

Give us a break! Shouldn't we get through 2009 first?

Justin Gardner - Political Pulse - 2012 Primary Calendars & Rules To Be Set Soon - True/Slant   June 26th, 2009 8:24 pm ET

[...] via CNN, let's take a look at the Dems' plans... The commission's looking at three [...]

bob in LA   June 26th, 2009 7:51 pm ET

Hopefully they can get it right this time- cancel the bias caucuses, schedule three super days with equal weight and put us out of this nonsensical marathon of wasted money

RealityKing   June 26th, 2009 7:45 pm ET

Talking down the economy was part of the DNC's plan for taking over Congress four years ago.., hows that working out for everyone??

Hugo   June 26th, 2009 7:43 pm ET

Too bad we have only a two party system, it is one party better than what China or Iran have. I have had the opportunity to be on this planet for a while now and have seen and done some pretty outrageous things in my life. I lived through the Civil rights movement, Vietnam, the fall of the Iron curtain and have seen politicians come and go. I do not think I have ever seen our country so torn apart by opposing ideological views, not even during the days of rage. What is transpiring now in our country is totally different that anything I've ever seen, people seem to have become "brainwashed" by what they are told by the media, believing what they are told even when everything they see and hear tell them differently. Society just seems to have digressed to a level that is now beyond what I can comprehend, God help us. It is still okay to say that isn't it?

RealityKing   June 26th, 2009 7:42 pm ET

The DNC is getting an earily start because they are going to have a real hard time getting America to believe their campaign lies this time. Especially in light of the whoopers Obama told.

Zero new taxes
Complete withdrawal from Iraq
Balance the budget
Pay Go
Millions of green jobs
etc, etc..

Expat American   June 26th, 2009 7:39 pm ET

Beware of a woman scorned....or women scorned.

Sarah Palin is the next president or better put the next co-president of the United States.

Sarah Palin/OctoMom/Kate Gosselin for Co-Presidents in 2012.

Lesley   June 26th, 2009 7:25 pm ET

If Obama keeps caving to Repubs in an effort at bipartisanship and giving away the store, he can run as the Republican candidate in 2012 as far as I'm concerned. I thought we were getting Teddy Roosevelt! Instead we're getting a watered down version of what was promised on the campaign trail. Stand up to the Republicans for crying out loud!

Claudia in Houson   June 26th, 2009 6:54 pm ET

Neither party needs to change anything for me, my made is already made up. OBAMA 2012 and we will take Texas, if they don't try some funny stuff.

annie against biased news   June 26th, 2009 6:26 pm ET

What are the demoncrats doing – hiring extra acorn to have them well trained by 2012? With the way the demmies are running (ruining) the country so early in this term, there won't be a country here by 2012.

Larry   June 26th, 2009 6:24 pm ET

In 2008 Bush and Cheney brought the Republicans down, and the best they could do for a candidate was McCain.

I don't know about you guys but I'm starting to feel good again about being an American.

Watch Obama slug it out every day. I feel like the normal joe is getting a voice back in this country again.

Zero.   June 26th, 2009 6:21 pm ET

In that speach Jackson was crying for help. He hoped he could live long enough. Pain killers! Kill the pain, when you need it to survive.

Donald Gordon, Ontario, CA   June 26th, 2009 6:12 pm ET

My goodness, the primaries are being held earlier and earlier with each passing election.

In other news, the Iowa caucuses for the 2012 election have been moved to next week.

Willy Brown   June 26th, 2009 6:08 pm ET

Had enough of that Hope and Change crap? Time to vote Carter II and his ilk out of congress.

Emma   June 26th, 2009 6:04 pm ET

It can be safely predicted that a Republican will not be our next President. After Obama ends his presidency in 2016, Hillary has a good shot at it.

artigiano   June 26th, 2009 5:49 pm ET

Those winner take all GOP primaries are not going to work to get a really good nominee either moderate or conservative. The long battle of Hillary and Obama made each one tougher to beat in the general.

Republicans would do well to study Obama 2008. But frankly they aren't that bright, and probably will run Dole 1996 all over again.

Zero.   June 26th, 2009 5:47 pm ET

Lack of Proteins killed Jackson. He had no energy left...

HJA   June 26th, 2009 5:35 pm ET

This is out of control. These idiots on both sides need to get a life. 6 months to pick a candidate and 4 to campaign. That would be enough time. With all the money these dirt bags spend on BS ads we should cut their salaries in half. Hey! They work for us. Lets put it to a vote! Earn your pay! Now that's funny.

Free Willy   June 26th, 2009 5:33 pm ET

This article is irrelevant because Obama will find a way to keep himself in office for life.

... And we're worried about "dictators" from other countries. The problem lies within, folks! I'm curious as to when the right to speak freely will be taken away from us too.

Aaron   June 26th, 2009 5:32 pm ET

The hell with planning 2012, give Romney the nomination and then write his concession speech to President Obama and call it a day.

Nick - Arlington, VA   June 26th, 2009 5:27 pm ET

wheres the PUMAs to complain....??....

Fla.   June 26th, 2009 5:22 pm ET

The primary system needs to be completely reformed to a national day or rotating regions MUCH later in the year.

At the rate it's currently going, primaries could almost end up on Christmas if changes are not made. Enough.

Dee, 1 Vote   June 26th, 2009 5:22 pm ET

It was Bush, Hillary, and Obama. The DMC is and will be Obama/Biden.

Gary Stuart   June 26th, 2009 5:13 pm ET

Oh, there's going to still be a Federal government operating then? Will China allow it after our bankruptcy is declared?

Glennis   June 26th, 2009 5:03 pm ET

I can hardly bear the thought of more television campaign ads. I am so thoroughly sick of endless campaigns. If these bloody politicians spent half as much doing "the people's business" as they do campaigning and feathering their own nests, we wouldn't have so many problems.

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