National GOP urges Nevada to change caucus date

[October 21, 2011]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The chairman of the Republican National Committee is urging Nevada Republicans to delay their caucuses by three weeks to Feb. 4.

Several Republican presidential candidates and the state of New Hampshire are furious over Nevada having scheduled its contest for Jan. 14. They argue that would wedge New Hampshire's primary too close to Nevada's voting and Iowa's caucuses, which are slated for Jan. 3.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus says in a letter to his Nevada counterparts that changing to the Feb. 4 date will benefit Nevada in several ways, including giving it a more prominent place on the nomination calendar.

In the letter that was emailed to The Associated Press, Priebus says the delay will allow the candidates to spend more time and resources reaching out to Nevada Republicans.

Party leaders in Nevada are considering changing the date but had made no decisions as of late Thursday.

New Hampshire officials have said they will hold the nation's first primary in December if Nevada doesn't delay its contest.

[Associated Press]

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