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N.H. Editorial Says Romney Should Boycott Nevada Caucus

The New Hampshire Union Leader is putting the pressure on GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney to boycott the Nevada caucuses on Jan. 14.

New Hampshire Union Leader took to its editorial page to pressure Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to boycott the Nevada caucuses in January.

New Hampshire and Nevada are embroiled in a dispute over the specific dates for their respective nominating contests. After Florida moved its primary to Jan. 31, Nevada changed its caucus to Jan. 14, a date New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner says will conflict with its state's traditional status as the first primary in the nation. According to blog Frontloading HQ, the date for the New Hampshire primary is still unclear.

"Whether New Hampshire goes in December or in January with Nevada only a few days behind it, the tradition is broken, and other states will be emboldened to move in for the kill in 2016," the editorial states. 

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has pledged to boycott tonight's GOP candidate debate in Las Vegas, the Union Leader notes, in protest of Nevada's new primary date. Other candidates have threatened to boycott the state's caucuses, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

The Union Leader editorial suggests that Romney is the only one who could benefit from Nevada's date change. It claims that Romney has the finances to compete in multiple primaries and caucuses scheduled closely in succession, while other candidates may not. 

Whether Romney decides to support or reject the boycott, the editorial concludes: "Either way, New Hampshire is watching."

Dylan Scott is a GOVERNING staff writer.
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