Iowa's 2012 caucuses may not interfere as much with your holiday travel plans. The Democratic Change Commission recommends Iowa's caucuses remain first and they shouldn't start earlier than the first week of February.
Other states tried to jump before Iowa in 2008, which pushed Iowa's caucuses all the way up to January 3rd. The commission said Barack Obama's caucus win and eventual White House victory convinced members to keep Iowa first. But the commission didn't recommend any punishment for states that try to move before Iowa in 2012.
Member Tom Miller, Iowa's Attorney General, said, "That's always the problem, the enforcement problem. Nobody has the solution to the enforcement problem. I think the stronger the consensus is that this is the way to do it, the harder it is for states to move around."
The Democratic National Committee must still approve the recommendations. Republicans are also still finalizing their plans for 2012.
Other states tried to jump before Iowa in 2008, which pushed Iowa's caucuses all the way up to January 3rd. The commission said Barack Obama's caucus win and eventual White House victory convinced members to keep Iowa first. But the commission didn't recommend any punishment for states that try to move before Iowa in 2012.
Member Tom Miller, Iowa's Attorney General, said, "That's always the problem, the enforcement problem. Nobody has the solution to the enforcement problem. I think the stronger the consensus is that this is the way to do it, the harder it is for states to move around."
The Democratic National Committee must still approve the recommendations. Republicans are also still finalizing their plans for 2012.
