October 22, 2011: Nevada GOP Sets February 4, 2012 as the Date of its Caucuses

Ed. Note. In Dec. 2010, the Nevada GOP announced Feb. 18, 2012 as the date of its caucuses (+).  On Oct. 5, 2011, after Florida moved its primary to Jan. 31, 2011, the party moved the date forward, announcing Jan. 14, 2012 as the date (+).  That led New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner to suggest the New Hampshire Primary might be held in December 2011 (+) and prompted several candidates to talk of boycotting the Nevada caucuses (+).  Things appeared to be headed towards calendar chaos, but RNC chairman Reince Preibus and other party leaders were able to persuade the state party to change the date to Feb. 4.



PRESS RELEASE from Republican Party of Iowa

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                        Contact: Iowa GOP
October 22, 2011                                                                                                              

Chairman Strawn Responds to Nevada GOP's Caucus Move

DES MOINES -- Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn today made the following statement after the Nevada GOP approved a date of February 4, 2012 for the Nevada Caucuses.
"I thank Chairwoman Tarkanian for her leadership today. The voters and our candidates are well served by a nomination process that starts in 2012 and today's action is a major step toward that goal."
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PRESS RELEASE from New Hampshire Republican Party
October 22, 2011


NH REPUBLICAN LEADERS RESPOND TO NEVADA'S CAUCUS DATE CHANGE :
Nevada's sets caucus for February 4, 2012

Concord, NH—Nevada today announced it has set the day of its Presidential Caucus for February 4, 2012.  The announcement comes after extensive discussions and efforts between Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa and the National Republican Committee.  


The New Hampshire Republican leaders released the following statements in response:

“I would like to thank the efforts of RNC Chairman Priebus, our National Committeeman Steve Duprey and our National Committeewoman Phyllis Woods who worked with me in consulting with our colleagues in Nevada to come to an agreement that is best for everyone and successfully preserves New Hampshire’s First in the Nation Status.   Nevada’s decision to reschedule to February 4 will now allow Secretary of State Bill Gardner to schedule our Primary at a more appropriate time than would’ve been allowed with Nevada’s earlier date.  The New Hampshire Primary is important not just as a long standing tradition, but as an opportunity for lesser-funded or lesser-known candidates to have the opportunity to be heard.  This resolution comes thanks to several people, including the RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. Together, we all come out on top.” –Wayne MacDonald, New Hampshire Republican Committee Chairman


“Nevada has a very important role to play in the early process of our Presidential election cycle and this agreement not only ensures its role for 2012, but for future elections. It was thanks to the efforts of Nevada GOP Chair Amy Tarkanian and party leaders in South Carolina, Iowa and here in New Hampshire that made this calendar issue work and I am very appreciative of these efforts to find common ground. I am also appreciative to the candidates for their various efforts to respect and preserve our primary.  We understand the importance of the early states to give a fair and open chance for candidates to establish their campaigns and get known and we will continue to work with our counterparts in the others states to make sure this opportunity for candidates is maintained.”—Steve Duprey, NH Republican National Committeeman


“In addition to thanking the party leaders in the early states, I would also like to thank Reince Priebus for his role in negotiating a satisfactory resolution to the issue of scheduling these early state’s primaries and caucuses.  We, in New Hampshire, recognize the important role Nevada plays in the process.  By Nevada’s officials honoring New Hampshire’s law and respecting the spirit and intent of the RNC Rules regarding the sequence of states, we will be able to continue to work together to provide all our candidates every opportunity the selection process offers.”—Phyllis Woods, New Hampshire Republican National Committeewoman 

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PRESS RELEASE from South Carolina Republican Party
October 22, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY
Contact: Matt Moore

SCGOP Chairman Connelly praises Nevada Republicans for moving Caucus date

Prosperity, S.C. - South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Chad Connelly today praised Nevada Republicans for moving their Presidential Caucus date to February 4, 2012:

"Nevada Republicans, led by Chairwoman Amy Tarkanian, chose unity over chaos and brought order to the 2012 nominating calendar. I appreciate their leadership as well as the leadership of Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus. Chairman Priebus and Chairwoman Tarkanian put others before themselves and ultimately our Republican voters will benefit," said Connelly.

"Our party must choose the best person to make Barack Obama just the worst ONE term President in American history. A common sense nominating calendar helps in that process."

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PRESS RELEASE from Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee
October 22, 2011

Paul Campaign Applauds NV Caucus Move to Feb. 4

NH Primacy Assured, NV Importance Affirmed

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – The Ron Paul Campaign today applauded the Nevada Central Committee’s decision to reschedule the Nevada presidential caucus for February 4. The move protects New Hampshire’s traditional “first in the nation” status while ensuring that Nevada voters receive proper attention from all candidates for the GOP nomination.

“We are extremely pleased with this decision, and we thank Nevada GOP Chair Amy Tarkanian and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus for their tireless work,” said Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

“The Paul campaign believes firmly in the primacy of the New Hampshire primary – and in the importance of the Nevada caucus as well. We’re very proud that our campaign and our supporters on the Nevada Central Committee took a leadership role in resolving this issue.

“Voters in the Granite State and the Silver State will now have the opportunity to meet and deeply examine the candidates who are asking for their votes,” Benton continued. “And that’s the way it should be.”


PRESS RELEASE from Jon Huntsman for President
October 22, 2011

Statement from Jon Huntsman on Nevada Primary Date Change

Manchester, NH – Governor Jon Huntsman released the following statement concerning Nevada pushing back their caucus date:

"I applaud officials in Nevada for recognizing the importance of New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary. The fight to preserve New Hampshire’s critical  role in vetting presidential candidates should not be dismissed as just another political process story. It is vital that New Hampshire’s primary be defended and the unique looking-glass it affords Americans be preserved. 

“Ultimately, Granite Staters wouldn’t have had to struggle to keep their primary tradition intact if the Romney campaign, for its own advantage, did not attempt to game our democracy by lobbying states to move up their primary contests.

“This isn't a victory for one candidate or one state, but a victory for the democratic process which values substance, authenticity and qualifications over slogans and sideshow theatrics that have attempted to dominate modern politics.”



STATEMENT from Nevada Republican Party
October 21, 2011

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Following a conference call this evening with members of the State Republican Central Committee about the Nevada Republican Presidential Caucus, Chairman Amy Tarkanian issued the following statement:
 
“While no decision has been made, productive discussions with state Republican leaders have made one thing clear, our Party will take the steps necessary to ensure Nevada’s voice remains prominent in the Presidential selection process. It’s also clear that our Party leaders will not let the influence of Nevada voters be weakened because of the actions of a few other states and zealous individuals.
 
“My goals throughout the process have been consistent, remain the first state in the West, draw national attention to the hardships facing Nevadans due to President Obama’s failed leadership, and to preserve Nevada’s carve out status for the future. Tonight I once again laid out these goals for preserving Nevada’s prominent status and now our committee will collectively vote this weekend to determine a final date. Ultimately, no matter when the caucus will be held, I will fight to make sure Nevada voters will continue to have an influential role in determining our Party’s nominee and in making Barack Obama a one-term president.
PRESS RELEASE from Nevada Democratic Party
October 19, 2011

Nevada GOP Risks Nevada's Early State Status by Caving to D.C. Republicans

Las Vegas, NV – In light of recent reports that Nevada Republicans are likely to cave to D.C. Republicans and abandon Nevada’s status as an early voting state, the Nevada State Democratic Party issues the following statement:
 
“Nevada Democrats moved our caucus date to bolster Nevada Republicans’ courage to stand up to Florida, who has violated rules agreed upon by both national Parties and is jeopardizing our hard-fought status as a presidential early-voting state. We are disappointed Nevada Republicans are now willing to risk Nevada's status as an early voting state because they are afraid to stand up to the Republican National Committee’s empty threats and hollow promises. And since their threats against Florida proved toothless, the Beltway-minded RNC isn’t in the best position to honor promises like the ones they have reportedly made to the Nevada Republican Party. No matter what they have told in-state Republicans about securing Nevada’s third-in-the-nation status in future elections, Florida demonstrated the RNC is powerless to stop such actions. Since it would be a deep embarrassment to the state if Nevada Republicans wave the white flag on keeping our early voting status, we therefore strongly urge Gov. Sandoval and state Republicans not to retreat in this fight.”