Presidential Primary Bumped Up by Spitzer

ALBANY — Governor Spitzer signed legislation yesterday moving New York's presidential primary to February 5, further setting the stage for a mid-winter political showdown that could leave Americans with the longest general election campaign ever. The change could also benefit the Democratic and Republican front-runners, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rudy Giuliani. Nearly a dozen other states have already moved their primaries or caucuses to February 5. A dozen more are considering such moves, setting the stage for what is quickly becoming known as "Super-Duper Tuesday" just 22 days after the leadoff Iowa caucuses.