N.H. downplays primary calendar threat

By James W. Pindell, Globe correspondent

The Republican National Committee today repeated its threat to take away half of New Hampshire's delegates to the national convention next summer unless the state holds its presidential primary after Feb. 5, something that is not expected to happen.

RNC Chair Mike Duncan said he has sent a letter to state parties in New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina, Florida, and Wyoming reminding them of party rules barring primaries before Feb. 5.

For New Hampshire, the penalty would mean only 12 of the state's 24 slated delegates would get to attend -- and vote -- in the convention.

The date for the New Hampshire primary has not been set. The person in charge of setting that date, Secretary of State Bill Gardner, has indicated he will set the date next month and that it will not occur any later than Jan. 8.

New Hampshire Republican Chair Fergus Cullen said he is not in a position to do anything about the primary date.

"We at the party have no say when the date will be set," Cullen said. "There is nothing we can do to resolve the conflict between the state law and Republican committee's rules."

Cullen went on to say that he is more concerned with keeping New Hampshire's first in the nation primary than going to Minnesota for the national convention.

"If this is the price New Hampshire Republicans have to pay then so be it," he said.