Imagine a world with a serious primary contest for President. Imagine that both parties have multiple viable candidates that appeal to a broad spectrum of people. Now imagine a world where Indiana’s primary actually means something rather than just being a practically worthless vote when the nomination for both parties is, for all intents an purposes, wrapped up.

Mitch Daniels wants to make that happen. In an interview with the Governor, Matt Tully of the Indianapolis Star got Mitch to admit that the current system schedule is “unfair” and “wretched.” Those are big words considering that people on both sides of the aisle are opposed to moving the primary date.

According to Tully’s January 4th column:

Indiana officials for years have blocked proposals to move up Primary Day. School board organizations, state lawmakers and state political party bosses — all looking out for their interests — have stood in the way of making Indiana’s primary more relevant.

Mitch’s plan, which in it’s initial stages calls for moving Indiana’s primary to the same day as New Hampshire, does have some flaws. Most notably that New Hampshire law states that it’s primary must come at least a week before any other states (remember Iowa has a caucus, not a primary). But the fact that he’s come out in favor of moving the primary is a positive step and one that’s in line with a September poll conducted by WISH-Channel 8 that showed 61% approved of moving Indiana’s primary to January or February.

(What can be done? Read more after the leap)

The Guv hasn’t been alone in his call for a change in Indiana’s place in the primary schedule. Last February Secretary of State Todd Rokita has called for a different plan. As early primary states were already in the process of moving their primaries even earlier, Rokita called for a regional rotating primary saying:

“A rotating regional primary system would provide Hoosier voters with increased electoral significance, and it would force candidates to come to Indiana to campaign.”

Rokita also said:

“Presidential campaigns have both a significant civic and economic impact on states – benefits we miss in Indiana by holding a static May Primary.”

It’s a plan that GOP State Chairman Murry Clark admitted was worth looking into when interviewed by Hoosier Access’ own Brian Sikma at the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference. Despite the different views, the fact is, elected officials are talking about this more in light of the vast majority of meaningful primaries happening in the first five weeks of the new year. Nothing would change for Indiana’s May primary this year, but the issue has clearly touched a nerve with the Governor that he’s considering making it campaign issue.

Clearly something needs to be done. I would definitely like to see Indiana’s primary moved. Whether this means establishing an early presidential primary while maintaining the May Primary (I don’t favor this for cost reasons), establishing a rotating primary or a national primary, which I do favor, action must be taken to make Indiana means something when we vote to choose our president.