Michigan's earliest presidential primary ever cleared its first hurdle today when the Senate voted to hold the vote on Jan. 15 of next year.
The Senate approved the early primary date on a 21-17 vote. The House could act on the legislation as early as next week. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said she would sign an early primary bill.
An amendment moving the date up to Jan. 15 from Feb. 5 passed 35-0. But Democrats voted against final passage of the bill because they said some technical changes are needed before there is final agreement.
Under the legislation for a semi-closed primary, voters would have to request a Republican or Democratic ballot.
Got your yard signs ready? Will other states try to leapfrog in front of us? Are we entering an age of perpetual presidential campaigning? Can we afford it? Is that John Edwards at my door? Do I have to start paying attention to this now?
The answers to these, and many other questions, will unfold as time goes on...