WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) -The Republican Party has decided to punish
five states for scheduling early primaries.

Republican National Committee chairman Mike Duncan says South
Carolina, New Hampshire, Florida, Michigan and Wyoming will lose
half their delegates to the national convention for violating party
rules against holding nominating contests before February 5th.

Iowa, which plans to hold Republican caucuses on January 3rd,
would not be penalized because, technically, the caucuses are not
binding on convention delegates. Nevada, which plans to hold its
caucuses on January 19th, would not be penalized for the same
reason.

State party leaders from the punished states say they remain
confident their entire delegations will be seated.