A Western presidential primary might give the region political clout like New Hampshire's and is worth pursuing, say Colorado Gov. Roy Romer and Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt.
At a recent news conference in Romer's office, the governors also discussed forming a "virtual university" involving the higher education institutions in the Western states. Working students could take classes via computer.Leavitt, who worked with Romer in Washington, D.C., recently on Medicaid problems in the federal budget, said he is "astounded at the level and focus on New Hampshire" before its primary.
"Nobody messes with New Hampshire because they never know when they might go there to campaign," he said.
"It's an idea that needs to be explored, and Gov. Leavitt and I have talked about it," said Romer.
"The voice of the West needs to be heard more loudly," Leavitt said.
"Candidates who are running for the highest office in the land should come to the West, learn our issues, see our problems, meet our people and form organizations," said Leavitt.
He said such a primary could lead to more Westerners holding Cabinet and sub-Cabinet positions.
The Western Governors Association and the Western Legislative Conference have agreed to launch a research effort, and governors will meet in the summer to look at obstacles and benefits, said Leavitt.
Regionally, the Mountain West is generally ignored in presidential politics except in states like Arizona that have moved their primaries to earlier dates.
The governors believe the region is clearly least influential in presidential politics, which means issues such as public lands do not always receive the consideration they deserve.
"The West is just now emerging as the place where we have active, strong economies. It is the new frontier for America, still . . . and I think we can have profound impact politically and regionally if we can find ways to come together," Leavitt said.
"We ought to inject more diversity of opinion and style in Republican primaries, in particular," Romer joked.
Leavitt and Romer said the virtual university would make learning "portable" and bring education to students, instead of making students go to school. Moreover, it would be a tool for states to cope with surging enrollment by taking advantage of investments already made by students, states and employees.
It would not be a threat to existing colleges and universities, and Utah and Colorado higher education officials who have been asked about it are supportive, the two said.
The governors said the program's cost has not been determined.