RNC rejects tough sanctions on primary calendar (AP)

TAMPA, Fla. ? The Republican National Committee has rejected a plan to force tougher sanctions on states that jump ahead in the presidential primary calendar.

The measure could have stripped VIP passes and desirable hotel accommodations from states like Arizona and Florida, which are considering late January primary elections. That's a violation of RNC rules, and some Republicans say it would cause chaos in the early voting process.

But the RNC Rules Committee voted at its summer meeting Thursday to postpone action on new sanctions, which came recommended by another panel, until next year. Current rules already strip states in violation of half of their delegates to the party's national convention, which formally selects its presidential nominee.

That penalty has been skirted in the past, however, prompting some to push for sanctions with sharper teeth. RNC spokesman Sean Spicer said after the vote that tougher penalties are still possible, even under current rules. He called today's vote symbolic.

Republicans from early voting states like New Hampshire and South Carolina, called out Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer by name Thursday, pushing her state to wait its turn. Any significant change in the calendar, they say, could force their states to move primaries to December or early January.

"I really respect the governor," South Carolina GOP Chairman Chad Connelly said of Brewer. "I think she would understand the rules, since she just enforced an immigration rule against the federal government. It would be consistent for her to enforce these rules as well."

South Carolina is scheduled to host the nation's third presidential primary voting contest, after Iowa and New Hampshire.

Standing at Connelly's side Thursday, New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Jack Kimball called on Brewer to back off plans to institute a late January Arizona primary. He said he respected her push to impose tough immigration rules.

"Basically, under that premise, you'd also presume that Republican Party rules and regs would also be important," Kimball said.

Brewer did not attend this week's RNC meeting, but her supporters did not shy away from the controversy. An early primary in Arizona would highlight issues such as border security that are largely forgotten in the presidential primary, according to Bruce Ash, the Arizona national committeeman and RNC Rule Committee chairman.

"I think this is of interest not just to Arizona. The governor, she's a very, very gutsy governor," he said. "And she really believes in representing our state and the interests of the West. This is her charge that she's taking, and I support her in it."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110804/ap_on_el_ge/us_republicans_primary_calendar

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