HELENA -- Montanans are one step closer to possibly seeing the likes of Hillary Clinton or maybe John McCain next February.

A bill to move up the state's presidential primary to early next year received big bipartisan support Tuesday. Supporters hope to join other Western states making the same move, possibly forcing presidential candidates to make campaign stops here.

''It's time that Montana get out and lead,'' said Rep. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip. ''We have a lot of issues that affect the nation. I think Montanans deserve a greater voice in choosing the president.''

The measure working its way through the Legislature, endorsed on a 74-25 preliminary vote Tuesday, would let the secretary of state select the exact date based on the primary dates picked by other states.

The hope is that Western states will play a greater role in presidential politics. The idea is gaining steam, as a few Western states, including Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, have already decided to band together for a joint presidential primary.

''Whether or not they stop in Montana, that's yet to be seen,'' Ankney said. ''But if we can get them out to the West, and get our issues out there, I think it would be a good deal.''

Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Republican Secretary of State Brad Johnson both support the idea.

Supporters say presidential candidates will be induced to come out West during primary season if enough states make the switch.

Critics have said the idea won't work as expected because presidential candidates will still be hesitant to spend much time in sparsely populated Western states, especially as larger states in other regions move up their primary dates.

The $1 million price tag isn't worth it, others argued.

''It might be important. But can we afford it?'' said Rep. Pat Ingraham, R-Thompson Falls.

She said taxpayers don't want to spend that much money just to be hit with more politics and campaign ads.

The bill was referred to the House Appropriations Committee, which approved the bill and sent it back to the House for another full vote.

Ankney's bill is House Bill 797.