California moves one step closer to Feb. 5 primary

California's effort to move its primary to February 5, 2008 -- and help to create a giant "national primary" day in which half of the country's voters will have a chance to go to the polls -- cleared the last major hurdle.

The California General Assembly approved the legislation, which had already passed the California Senate. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he will sign it.

California is one of 19 states that either has moved up their presidential primary dates to February 5, 2007, or is considering it. Political analysts say that having so many states voting on one day will transform the primary system, giving greater clout to the best-funded candidates.