Give the West a bigger voice

The quiet Western voice in national politics is bad for the country. The region has a better chance of being heard if a number of Western states held early, same-day primaries.

By the time presidential candidates pay any real attention to the West, there is usually only one candidate left from each party. At that point, the candidates only have to pay lip service to topics that matter to Westerners, such as energy, natural resources and public lands.

An early Western primary proposal gained momentum in 2005. Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada have discussed an early "super" primary. Utah's Legislature is taking up the matter this upcoming session. If approved, the state would hold its primary on Feb. 5.

The Democratic National Committee has been working on a parallel track. The DNC could have some Western states hold caucuses in the early primary season. The DNC sees the West not only as an emerging region but as fertile ground to grow its base.

Democracy in action can be a contentious and messy process.

No doubt New Hampshire will take a ferociously defensive stance in response to a push from the rapidly growing Rocky Mountain region. New Hampshire should not worry.

It will continue to be No. 1 in primary balloting, but should realize that the country is changing and the issues along with it.

There are drawbacks. Too many primaries too close together would not allow voters meaningful exposure to time-strapped candidates.

An early primary is no guarantee Western issues will be thoroughly vetted by candidates who could pay glancing attention to the region.

The drawbacks do not outweigh the benefit, though. Many of the concerns raised from New Mexico to Wyoming are issues affecting the Pacific Northwest.

Washington voters will only benefit from a thorough examination of Western issues by presidential candidates.