Alabama may get an early primary. Democrats could vote the week after N.H.

[Thom Little]

Alabama may be getting closer to winning a louder voice in picking the next Democratic nominee for president.

Party leaders are looking at holding an early primary in the state where Democrats haven't won a presidential election since 1976.

At a meeting Saturday in Washington, Democratic leaders voted to allow early voting in two or four more states - one or two holding caucuses and one or two holding primaries, though they have not named the states they are considering. A final decision would be made in April.

"They say Alabama has a good shot at it," said Jim Spearman, executive director of the Alabama Democratic Party.


http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/113455538670950.xml&coll=1

[AUYellowDog]

1. This would be a huge step for Alabama and the party

For once our opinions would mean something, and it would help out more moderate dems (John Edwards). Clinton and Carter were both southerners and moderates and I think that's what an early Alabama primary would help establish. Contact Jim Spearman and Joe Turnham and let them know you want the DNC to give us an early primary (or at least a primary that freakin matters, not in June.)