On July 31, Montana State Republican Chair proposed that the party hold a caucus on February 5 to choose delegates to the national convention. Erik Iverson’s plan must be approved by the State Central Committee and the National Committee, to take effect. It calls for an exclusive caucus. Unlike normal caucuses, only party officials and state and federal office-holders could attend. The total sum of such people is 2,262 individuals. The caucus would be “winner-take-all.”
Montana and South Dakota are the only remaining states with presidential primaries being held in June 2008. Presumbly, if the Iverson proposal takes effect, the Republican contenders would not participate in the Montana presidential primary.
It will be interesting to see if other states, particularly in the Western states, retreat from the primary to a more tightly controlled caucus. Is there some candidate with popular support they are trying to shut out?
This is a good plan. The Montana legislature tried to move up the Primary date but the price tag held it back. It is good to see the Republicans moving foward.