The state's Republican Party chair doesn't expect any impact from the Republican National Committee's decision to cut the states' GOP convention delegation.
NHPR's Dianne Finch reports.
New Hampshire Republican Party chair Fergus Cullen says that delegation size really doesn't matter in the primary.
The RNC has announced that delegations would be cut in half in four states, including New Hampshire, for ignoring party rules requiring that primaries be held no earlier than February 5th.
"For perspective, in 1996 we had 16 delegates, in 2000 we had 17, now we're being cut from 24 to 12... candidates come here because they have an opportunity to demonstrate they can earn support among a broadly participatory electorate."
Cullen pointed to the 2000 primary; he says that people remember that John McCain won 40 percent of the vote, not that there were only 16 delegates.
Cullen added, though, that the party may challenge the decision once the primary is over.
Wyoming, Michigan and South Carolina also had delegations cut for scheduling primaries too early.
New Hampshire hasn't set its primary date yet, but state law requires that it be held seven days before any other.
For NHPR News, I'm Dianne Finch.
