Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Key reason for early primary: We're exceptionally average

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Key reason for early primary: We're exceptionally average
Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times
May 21, 2007

Of all the states trying to move their primaries next year, perhaps Illinois has the best claim for having a greater say in the selection of our next president. That's because of an analysis by Associated Press that concluded that Illinois is the state that best mirrors the nation as a whole.

The AP reached that conclusion after it ranked each state on how closely it matched the national average in 21 areas. Illinois came out on top, with a racial composition that matches the nation better than any others, and similar education levels, mix of industry, age of population and percentage of immigrants. We do have incomes a little higher than average and we are also a bit more urban than average, but overall we come closer than any other state in matching the nation.

As for Iowa and New Hampshire, the two states that have played a prominent role in selecting our president for years -- both of them rank in the bottom 10. Critics say states that are so white, rural and homogenous shouldn't play such a huge role in making decisions for the rest of the country.

Illinois, the best at being average, is a better bellwether. And even though our primary move is partly motivated by helping the presidential aspirations of favorite son Barack Obama, we have a legitimate claim to boosting our role in selecting the next leader.