An Early Date With History

Unable to unseat parochial Iowa and New Hampshire from their lead positions that distort the presidential primary parade, the national Democratic Party now has extended open arms to California as the Great Equalizer--or, in the dreams of party leaders, perhaps the Great President-Maker.

For years, California has chafed at the end of the parade with its June voting. Virtually irrelevant since 1972, the Golden State has served largely as the cash cow for Democrats who traipse the icy roads of Iowa and New Hampshire in search of votes by the hot stove of a general store or out on the cross-country ski trail.

Well, California, it’s worth a try. The state Senate soon will vote on the proposal to move California’s June presidential primary to the first week in March, right after the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire ( always First in the Nation) primary. The state Assembly already has passed the bill. Gov. George Deukmejian says he would sign such a measure. And on Wednesday, the national party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee gave its hearty blessing to having the next California presidential primary on March 3, 1992, rather than on June 2.

In Washington, some GOP leaders liked the early primary. Their reasoning was that California Democrats would opt for a more liberal candidate with virtually no chance of unseating President Bush. But there is no way of knowing that before the field of aspirants is set. California might shun ideology and opt for a star-quality candidate.

Democrats hope the March big-state vote will help someone wrap up the nomination earlier than ever, thus giving the party time to regroup and unite for the general election campaign. But it’s also possible there would be no clear winner. Who knows, the 1992 nomination contest might finally be decided in New Jersey in June. Even so, mere election mechanics will not win the White House for Democrats. Their presidential problems run far deeper than that.

Still, an early Golden State vote makes sense. It forces candidates early on to demonstrate broad strength in a big media market with interests in a variety of issues. And it will help keep some of that California money in California.