New Primary System Proposed
Two senators have introduced legislation to change the presidential primary system, reports CBS News Capitol Hill Correspondent Bob Fuss.
Democrat Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Republican Slade Gorton of Washington have made this proposal before: four regional primaries in March, April, May and June.
However, this year, they say, it's more important than ever, since the competition among states to have early primaries has created a totally irrational system where the presidential nominees will be chosen before many Americans get to vote. Some candidates also have had to drop out because they can't afford to compete in so many early primaries.
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"Anyone taking an objective look at the current primary system could only reach one conclusion: It doesn't make very much sense," said Lieberman.
He and Gorton propose a system of four regional primaries, each of them a month apart, and they'd rotate the order.
"By creating a series of regional primaries, we would make it more likely that all areas of the country have input into the presidential selection process," Lieberman told reporters.
States currently set their own primary dates but Lieberman and Gorton say they've made a mess of it and Congress should fix it.
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