WASHINGTON — Democrats recom- mended a February start for the 2012 political calendar and the likely renomination of President Barack Obama, with Iowa and New Hampshire keeping their traditional early voting spots.
Abandoning the typical January beginning, the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws panel on Friday proposed holding the Iowa caucuses Feb. 6, 2012, and the New Hampshire primary eight days later, on Feb. 14. Nevada caucuses would be Feb. 18 and the South Carolina primary Feb. 28.
All other states would hold their primaries and caucuses March 6 or later. The calendar must be approved by the full DNC at a meeting this summer.
Democrats also seek to limit the influence of the independent superdelegates in picking their nominee. Superdelegates are members of Congress, governors and party elders who can back candidates regardless of how their states vote. The Associated Press
