The Democratic National Committee on Saturday approved US President Joe Biden’s shake-up of the Democratic Party’s primary calendar next year, giving black voters a greater say in the nominating process and carving an easier path for Biden’s expected re-election bid.
The party’s vote replaced the famed Iowa caucuses as the first in the nation with South Carolina, a state with significantly more black voters and one that saved Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. It would be followed by New Hampshire and Nevada one week later, and then by primaries in Georgia and Michigan.
The promotion of South Carolina and Georgia reflects a demographic balancing decades in the making for the party at the expense of two largely white states that rejected Biden in 2020. It also underscores the growing power of the racially diverse coalition that helped bring Biden to power.
Photo: AP
“The Democratic Party looks like America, so does this proposal,” committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said.
The move faced opposition from leaders in Iowa and New Hampshire, who are being pushed down the nominating calendar, and vowed to defy the new schedule and hold elections on their own schedule. Any change to those calendars would require support from Republicans, who control the two state’s governments and oppose the move.
Iowa and New Hampshire have started the nominating seasons for decades, and the process — in which candidates campaign for months in coffee shops and homes — has become a cherished part of their social and political identities.
Photo: AFP.
Iowa and New Hampshire face penalties if they disobey the party, such as banning candidates from campaigning in the state or losing delegates.
Officials on Saturday said changing the schedule could hurt Biden’s chances to win those states next year.
In Georgia, Democrats want to move up the calendar, but Republicans, who control the state government, oppose the shift.
Georgia and New Hampshire have until June to comply with the new calendar, but few expect that to happen.
“We can vote on this calendar, we can approve this calendar, but we will leave here with absolutely nothing settled,” former Iowa Democratic Party chairman Scott Brennan said.
The conference underscored Biden’s tightening grip on a party that was openly skeptical of his viability and concerned about his age heading into the midterm elections in November last year, only to see Democrats significantly outperform expectations and reset the narrative.
Already the oldest person to take on the role of president, Biden would be 82 if sworn in for a second term.
Biden’s primary calendar saw overwhelming approval through a voice vote, and party committee members appeared enthusiastic for a Biden re-election when he addressed the crowd in Philadelphia on Friday.
“Let me ask you a simple question: Are you with me?” Biden asked the crowd of party faithful, to cheers and a chorus of “four more years.”
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