New Hampshire primary won't be set quickly
Concord, New Hampshire (CNN) - The presidential primary calendar may not be set for weeks, the New Hampshire secretary of state acknowledged Thursday.
Secretary of State Bill Gardner told CNN he does not expect to set the first-in-the-nation primary date before the state's filing period begins on Oct. 17.
"This is early to be setting a date," Gardner said.
All eyes turned to New Hampshire Wednesday night after the Nevada Republican party announced it would hold its caucus Jan. 14.
The move could push New Hampshire's primary into early January and the Iowa caucus into late December.
New Hampshire's presidential primary statute requires the state to hold its cherished first-in-the-nation primary at least seven days before any other state's contest. Last week, before Nevada's announcement, Gardner told CNN that the Granite State primary "won't be four days ahead of Nevada."
Last election cycle, faced with similar moves by other states into early winter, Gardner waited to announce New Hampshire's primary date until Nov. 21.
He told CNN he is still waiting for a clear picture of the primary calendar.
"I'm not sure at this point that I do know where everybody else is," Gardner said.
Also see:
I wish the Grand Old Tea Party would hurry up and figure out who their prom date is going to be, and whether or not they plan to leave the prom with that same person.
Who cares?
Republicans set their party rules during their 2008 convention.
"We pick things out, and break them up."
Republicans don't want to play the rules.
"We pick things out, and break them up."
Republicans under Bush decide to stimulate the economy through tax cuts.
"We pick things out, and break them up."
Republicans during the Bush administration deregulate everything they can.
"We pick things out, and break them up."
Democrats win the 2008 presidential election.
"We pick things out, and break them up."