Senate Majority Leader says passage of presidential primary bill isn't necessary

See Related Stories

9/ 8/2011: Radio Story - Missouri passed bill to move back the presidential primaries today in House Elections Committee Meeting

Intro:	Missouri's biggest political parties are pushing legislation for a presidential primary bill that the Senate Majority Leader says may not be necessary.
RunTime:	0:45
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The national Democratic and Republican parties have threatened to take seats away from Missouri delegates at the National Convention if the state doesn't pass a bill to push the primary date from February to March.

Republican Elections Committee Chairman Tony Dugger says if Missouri doesn't pass the bill, there will be two major consequences.

Actuality:	DUGGER5.WAV
Run Time:	00:13
Description: "One, that we stand the chance of losing half of our delegates to be seated at the National Convention. And if that happens, then two, I don't see very many presidential candidates paying attention to Missouri."

But Senate Majority Leader Tom Dempsey is skeptical that the national parties will really take seats away from Missouri delegates if the bill doesn't pass.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Woolf.

Intro:	Missouri's biggest political parties are pushing legislation during the dying special session to move the state's primary back from February to March.
RunTime:	0:45
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The national Republican and Democratic parties have said if the state doesn't pass a bill to change the date, Missouri will not have as much representation at the National Convention.

But Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey says past experience makes him skeptical that the national parties will take seats away from Missouri delegates.

Actuality:	DEMPSEY4.WAV
Run Time:	00:15
Description: "Four years ago, a threat was made to penalize the state and take away delegates. We did not follow through four years ago. Other states didn't as well, and I know there are a number of states that are keeping their primary dates the same as well."

Missouri Republican Party Chairman David Cole says the bill must be passed to ensure Missourians' voices are heard in the election.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Woolf.

Intro:	The Senate Majority Floor Leader says he's skeptical that a presidential primary bill needs to be passed.
RunTime:	0:47
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The national Democratic and Republican parties have threatened to cut Missouri representation at the National Convention in half if the state does not pass a bill changing the primary date from February to March.

Matt Teter is the Executive Director of Missouri's Republican Party.

He says the Republican Party agrees with the Democratic Party when it comes to passing the bill during the special session.

Actuality:	TETER.WAV
Run Time:	00:11
Description: "We too hope that the legislature will pass a clean bill, send it to the governor so he can sign it, and so that we can have our presidential primary on March 6th."

But the Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey says he is skeptical that Missouri delegates will lose representation at the National Convention if this bill doesn't pass.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Woolf.