New York Officially Joins the March to February 5

New York governor, Eliot Spitzer, signed into law today a bill to move the state's 2008 presidential primary. The bill (A.6430/S3544) moves the primary from the first Tuesday in March to the first Tuesday in February. Not only does it move one of the most delegate-rich states further toward that front of the pack, but it is seen as a boost to two of the leading candidates from each party. New York's junior senator and Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton, and current Republican front-runner and former New York city mayor, Rudy Giuliani would both stand to gain from this move. As the contest nears however, that view may change. Strategically, both candidates' opponents could opt to skip New York ceding many of the delegates to the favorite son/daughter and focus resources elsewhere. With the cluster forming on February 5, there will be no lack of alternatives to New York for the likes of Edwards, Obama, McCain or Romney.