S.C. will lose GOP delegates

Holding primary before Feb. 5 to cost Palmetto State and 4 others at national convention

When Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan visited Charleston in July during the Democratic presidential debate at The Citadel, he said Republican Party rules called for punishing states that held primaries before Feb. 5.

On Thursday, he did just that.

South Carolina, which will hold its GOP primary Jan. 19, is one of five states that will lose half of their delegates to September's national convention, Duncan said.

"No one wants to be in a position to penalize anyone, but our rules are self-enforcing," Duncan told reporters. "They give me no options."

The Republican National Committee voted 121-9 to impose the penalties. Duncan, who has final say over the matter, said he would go along.

The states "were made fully aware of what the consequences would be," he said.

The widely expected move also affects New Hampshire, Michigan, Wyoming and Florida.

The rule doesn't affect Iowa or Nevada because they are holding caucuses, not primaries. Those caucuses are set for Jan. 3 and Jan. 19, respectively.

When South Carolina moved up its primary, it took a calculated risk that someone would restore its delegates or that the influence of its earlier primary would far outweigh any loss of delegates.

If a clear GOP winner emerges from the primary process, few will notice how many delegates each state has. The eventual nominee also could restore them. But if the primary process doesn't produce a clear winner, then South Carolina's influence at the convention could be halved.

The Republican nominee for president will have to win a majority of the 2,380 delegates to the convention.

Under Duncan's action, Florida would lose 57 delegates, Michigan 30, South Carolina 23, Wyoming 14 and New Hampshire 12.

State GOP Chairman Katon Dawson has said if that's the case, the state party would consider legal action to restore its full slate of 47 delegates. Duncan has said he thinks the national party's penalty would hold up in court.

Other states are optimistic that the penalty will be rescinded. Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer said in a statement. "This is a long process, and I continue to be confident that Florida will ultimately seat its full delegation. ... I look forward to continuing this dialogue in a respectful and cooperative manner."

Wyoming is set to hold nominating conventions Jan. 5, while Michigan Republicans will hold their primary vote Jan. 15, pending the outcome of a lawsuit. Florida Republicans are set to vote Jan. 29.

New Hampshire state law calls for its primary to be held at least seven days before any other.

New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner met a legal deadline this week that allows him to schedule the primary in early December if necessary. The state is required to start distributing absentee ballots bound for overseas 30 days before the election.

"We have met the 30 days," he said. "That leaves early December open."

Democratic rules allow four states to hold votes before Feb. 5: Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Republican rules, adopted at the 2004 national convention, do not allow any exceptions.

The Democratic Party has vowed to strip all the delegates from Florida for violating party rules by moving up its primary, but South Carolina Democrats have been working with the party to gain its approval to move their date from Jan. 29 to Jan. 26.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or rbehre@postandcourier.com.