California is reportedly talking about moving its primary to its earliest-ever date next year, and that raises three questions”

• Are state legislators going to just talk about it or actually pass a bill moving the primary from June 3 to February 5? So far nothing has happened.
• Because of California’s immense size, would crowding-in near the front of the primary line be disastrous for the national nominating process?
• Which candidates would benefit?

As for whether legislative leaders and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are serious, they say they are but aren’t treating it as an urgent matter.

You’d think they would - and quick. Force the candidates to spend some money out there and get talking about big California issues: Illegal immigration, global warming, getting shortchanged by the feds, etc.

Some important legislators say the bill is greased up and ready, while others sound like they’ve got only one foot on board or are waiting for others to decide.

There’s good reason to be skeptical. California has previously held March primaries in an attempt to influence presidential politics, but still wound up on the bench as the nominations were all but being decided in February by smaller states.

Critics also worry that too many big states will “front-load” the primary calendar and make it impossible for poor, underdog candidates to compete. Florida, Illinois and New Jersey also are talking about moving up to Feb. 5.

Nevertheless, the key to passage of the primary bill in the Golden State, experts say, is the California State Legislature negotiating term-limit flexibility and redistricting reform - a combination of initiatives that would go on the same ballot.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez is pushing that and it’s why he’s advocating an early primary. A term-limit measure, if approved by voters early next year, would allow him to remain as speaker after 2008.

Many other lawmakers also could keep their seats for a while, rather than running for the other house. It’s to soon to know, but Hillary Clinton, John McCain and the other White House aspirants might want to get their calendars and scribble “California primary” on February 5, 2008.