Opinion: Calendar creep

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Although its leading citizens act as if New Hampshire’s special status in selecting presidential nominees ranks with freedom of speech, religion and assembly as an inalienable right, the state’s primary didn’t emerge as a big deal in U.S. politics until 1952. And when was that contest held? March 11.

Today, as had been anticipated, New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner designated Jan. 8 for the 2008 primary. Ridiculously early though it is, the date actually represents a bit of a compromise.

New Hampshire preferred the schedule, in place since 1984, that allowed eight days between the Iowa caucuses, where the first votes are cast in the nomination fight, and the Granite State primary. But with Iowa opting to conduct its caucuses on Jan. 3 -- a Thursday instead of the traditional Monday -- New Hampshire settled for the next available Tuesday.

For 20 years after the state first became a key political playground, the primary remained in March. It seeped into late February in 1976. Here are its dates since then:

1980: Feb. 26

1984: Feb. 28

1988: Feb. 16

1992: Feb. 18

1996: Feb. 20

2000: Feb. 1

2004: Jan. 27

Given the trend, it may not be long before New Hampshire officials have to take Halloween into account when scheduling their primary. And that would seem appropriate, given how ludicrous and out-of-control the path to a presidential nomination has become.

One can only hope, as we opined about months ago, that leaders from both parties will confront the one-upmanship among states that has overwhelmed the process and try to fix it after this campaign.

-- Don Frederick