Democrats and Republicans could not agree this morning on what would be the best date to ignore the results of a presidential primary. The Presidential Primary Date Selection Committee met this morning in the Capitol, but it could not agree on anything other than to adjourn.

There are nine members on the committee. A two-thirds vote is required to pass a motion, so any date would have to get bipartisan support.

Democrats, represented by party officials and legislative leaders, wouldn't support any date earlier than March 18. By then, at least 35 states will have had their say by caucus or primary. Before voting on a motion by Rep. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, to set the March 19 date, the four Democratic members of the committee insisted on leaving the public meeting to discuss the matter in a short private caucus. Secretary of State Sam Reed, a Republican who chairs the committee, urged them to have the discussion at the table with their Republican counterparts. But they insisted.

Hunt is the sponsor of a bill to cancel the 2008 primary, though that effort has lost steam in recent days and appears unlikely to pass this session.

Rep. David Buri, R-Colfax, suggested Washington join a long list of other states and hold the primary Feb. 5.

At this point, leaders of both parties say they do not want to use the primary results to allocate any presidential delegates. Final decisions will be made next month, and Hunt said that it would make more sense to set a primary date after it is known what the parties plan to do.

Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, representing the Senate on the committee, said lawmakers should not be doing the parties' bidding.

"As legislators, and as a Legislature, we are separate from the party. We represent the people."