Florida announces Jan. 31 primary date to mixed homestate reviews

The Florida Republican party voted Friday as expected to keep their state's 2012 presidential primary scheduled for Jan. 31, violating Republican National Committee rules in order to exert stronger influence on the nominating process.

Many Floridians, as well as party activists in other states eying a similar rush to the front of the primary calendar, believe that it's worth facing procedural or financial penalties from the national party in exchange for a more prominent role in the nominating process. But other Republican figures are likely stewing.

"States don't seem to be thinking this completely through,'' Al Cardenas, former state party Republican chairman told the Miami Herald Wednesday. "The more we deplete our resources, the more it puts us at a competitive disadvantage against [President] Obama in the home stretch."

Cardenas criticized states' efforts to "frontload" the primary calendar and tamper with Republican party attempts to draw out the primary process. "No one will have enough delegates to call themselves a winner,'' he said. "Money will dry up for candidates that don't make headway but it could be that the primary process still drags on."

States other than the four designated early-voting states--Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina--who jump ahead of March 6 on the primary calendar risk penalties from the national party including a loss of delegates, no plum hotel spots at the convention and no guest passes. Republican National Committeeman Paul Senft lamented the loss of those perks in a letter to party leaders Thursday:

Senft called the decision "arrogant" and argued that it will diminish Florida's influence and be "slapping the RNC in the face" for the second consecutive presidential election. (Florida held an early primary in violation of the rules in 2008 as well.) RNC officials had repeatedly warned Florida this year to reschedule the state primary in order to comply with national rules.

Florida's decision, which officials hope makes their state the fifth to hold a nominating contest, will influence the scheduling for other states--including South Carolina, which was slated to hold the "first-in-the-south" presidential primary.

South Carolina had previously indicated they would announce its official primary date Friday, but following Florida's announcement, state leaders said they are not ready make a formal decision public. State GOP leaders also condemned Florida's choice.

"Today's decision by Florida is hugely disappointing and could have been avoided," state Republican party chairman Chad Connelly said Friday. "Rogue states have once again dictated the Presidential nominating calendar. I call on my fellow RNC members and all Republicans to strongly condemn Florida's decision to hold their primary on January 31."

States are due to submit their proposed primary and caucus dates to the RNC this Saturday, October 1.