CAUCUSES SHOULD STAY IN JANUARY. Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro says Democrats and Republicans have told him that they are committed to keeping the caucuses in January 2008.
"We are bound and determined to hold the thing in January," Mauro said in a phone interview this morning, reiterating the position he has taken all month. The parties "want it to be held in January."
Iowa Democrats are in Washington this weekend to negotiate the final date for the caucuses, now scheduled for Jan. 14. "This Saturday we will work to solve the fluidity of the calendar and our Chairman Scott Brennan has been in touch with his counterparts in New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina to work out the best solution possible," Iowa Democratic Party communications director Carrie Giddens said.
Brennan and Iowa Gov. Chet Culver have previously sought to reassure voters that the caucuses would remain in 2008. "The 2008 presidential campaign has been fast and furious in Iowa, but the nominating calendar will start in 2008 with the Iowa Caucuses," said Brennan in an Aug. 10 statement.
"The caucuses need to be in January," agreed Gov. Culver.
--Garance Franke-Ruta
