Republicans from Iowa and New Hampshire attending a GOP meeting in San Diego have defended their coveted early spots in presidential nominating contests. The moves come as national party leaders consider recommending a new pathway to the White House for the 2012 election.
Iowa has long held the nation's first presidential caucuses, followed by New Hampshire's leadoff primary. But the two states have been criticized for holding outsized influence in presidential nominations.
A panel of the Republican National Committee began hearings Friday to considering a possible change in the sequence of contests.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
