Iowa, N.H. would still go first in presidential nominating process, GOP official says

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The chairman of the Iowa Republican Party said a national GOP panel supports keeping Iowa and New Hampshire first in the presidential nominating process.

Chairman Matt Strawn said Thursday that a Republican National Committee panel’s draft rules allow only Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada to hold caucuses or primaries before March 1, 2012.

Iowa would hold the first caucus and New Hampshire the first primary. But both would have to wait until after Feb. 1, 2012.

Strawn said the RNC is expected to give the rules final approval at an August meeting in Kansas City.

Michigan and Florida jumped ahead in the calendar during the last election cycle and were sanctioned by the Democratic and Republican parties.

-- Associated Press