This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Nov. 22, 2011 - For all the Missouri Republican Party talk downplaying the importance of the state's Feb. 7 presidential primary, all but one of the Republican contenders opted to file their candidacies anyway -- and will appear on the ballot.
The sole exception: former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
All told, 10 Republicans have filed as presidential contenders by Tuesday's 5 p.m. filing deadline. Four Democrats and one Libertarian have filed. (Click here for the whole list.)
On the Democratic side, President Barack Obama will appear on the ballot, along with three little-known rivals. The most familiar is anti-abortion activist Randall Terry.
Leaders of both major parties, including Gov. Jay Nixon, sought to have the General Assembly move Missouri's presidential primary to March. Both national parties had threatened sanctions if any states beyond four designated ones -- Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina --h old their primaries before March.
As a result, after the state Senate killed the bill during the special session, the state Republican Party opted to use the state's existing caucus system -- previously used to choose the delegates -- to also decide which candidate they will support. The caucuses begin in March.
The state Democratic Party, however, has said it is sticking with the primary and has asked the national party to forgo any penalties.
Since several other states have moved their primaries to February, the national parties may approach the matter differently -- especially the GOP.
