http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/POLITICS01/805290341/1022/POLITICS What's important: 'Integrity'But at least some rules committee members say potential general-election damage does not trouble them.
"I'm not particularly concerned about that," responds Mary Fuller Clark, a New Hampshire state senator on the committee, and one of her state's many defenders of its first-in-the-nation primary. "What's important for us is to maintain the integrity of the process."
Ultimately, however, the committee's adherence to rules may fall to political necessity.
Obama's campaign and supporters have suggested he could adjust the rules committee's ruling when his nomination is sealed.
The eventual nominee will control the convention's credentials committee, a much larger body that could seat full delegations for each state, allowing Obama to avoid a potential trouble spot for the fall.
"Once the nominee has finally been determined, then there are a lot of opportunities between that moment and the convention for the nominee to do whatever they want to do," said Katz, who has endorsed Obama.