Statement from Terry Lierman, Chair of
the Maryland
Democratic
Party
"With
this change, the road to the White House
must run through Maryland for
the first time in a long
time. For now the Maryland,
DC and Virginia primaries - which make up
about 11 percent of the votes
needed to win a party nomination - will
stand alone on February 12th
as the focus of the presidential candidates
and the
nation.
We
thank Governor O'Malley, President Miller
and Speaker Busch for their
leadership on this issue as well as the
Democrats and Republicans in the
General Assembly for their overwhelming
support. We share the common goal of
making sure, as much as we possibly can,
that Maryland
plays a role in the 2008
presidential race.
This
legislation gives the voters of Maryland
the best chance possible to see and hear
from the presidential candidates.
It's been a while since Marylanders voted
for their party nominees before the
primary races have essentially been decided.
It's great for the voters and
party activists, good for business and good
for the voice and visibility of
our state and the
region.
Despite
the rush across the nation to front-load the
primary season, we've ensured that
the candidates
will campaign and spend some money to talk
to Maryland
voters. While this won't be the
first primary date, nor the biggest,
Maryland
is no longer an afterthought in the
presidential
primary." | 
