How is the jockeying of primary dates changing the Presidential Candidates' Campaign strategies?

I have been watching the candidates move dollars and personnel among the 'expected' first primary states in hopes of catching the 'Big Mo' early since none of them, not one can effectively campaign in all possible early primary states simultaneously.

So take a look at these states and their possible affect on the eventual nomination based upon how early they conduct their primaries.

Florida is now set to go BEFORE Super Tuesday.

South Carolina will position itself to be after Iowa and New Hampshire.

Nevada may lose its preferred position.

California is considering a move.

Michigan is definitely moving up, but how early?

Iowa has a state law that requires it to hold its caucuses at least 8 days before any other primary, which could push it to pick a date in Dec 2007.

New Hampshire is taking the same action to protect its position.

And how will the Democratic Party rule be enforced that penalizes not only states moving up their primary dates, but stripping Democratic Candidates of delegates at the Convention if they campaign in those non-complying states?

All this has led to great uncertainty and campaigns are trying to discern the final outcome so that they can allocate their resources in the most efficient manner. But who knows?

And one thing seems be certain --the primaries are going to be compacted in a small period of time regardless of who goes first through the Super Tuesday voting. We may be deciding the Nomination races over just a few weeks time --thus the importance of momentum.

Anyone have this one figured out?

PS. If Repub Candidates are tanking big time heading into the primaries, watch the move of Florida to the front of the list -- Jeb Bush would be the best hope for their party if Clinton appears to be the Dem Nominee. If Jeb were to put Florida's huge number of electoral votes in his column early, he might be able to swoop in and grab the Nomination, and we are facing yet another Bush in the General Election.

is trying to make the whole thing irrelevant.

The campaigns appear completely willing to have everyone commit their votes in writing far before any candidate's reaction/finish in the outcome of a state primary or a caucus might sway where a voter makes their mark.

They will then have quite a few months before the conventions and the debates, when they get to tread water and slime each other.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

Media buys have to be made a couple months in advance, and if they're all coming at once, they'll need some serious cash.

why did Obama jump the gun and start so early? And why did every one have to follow suit.

http://www.nass.org/

National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS)

Calendar of 2008 State Primaries/Caucuses
Last updated: August 9, 2007

NOTE: This calendar is a working draft based upon state election office reporting and credible media reports. Dates are subject to
change. In some states, these contests are non-binding and separate caucuses or conventions are scheduled to determine
delegates to the national conventions.

2008 Presidential Nominating Calendar

TBD: New Hampshire

JANUARY 2008
• January 14: Iowa
• January 19: Nevada, South Carolina (R)
• January 22: Wyoming (R)1
• January 29: Florida, South Carolina (D)
FEBRUARY 2008
• February 1: Maine (R)
• February 5: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado (D)2, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois,
Minnesota (R)3, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico (D)4, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee,
Utah
• February 9: Louisiana
• February 10: Maine (D)
• February 12: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia
• February 19: Hawaii (D), Washington, Wisconsin
• February 26: Arizona5, Michigan6
MARCH 2008
• March 2: Hawaii (R)
• March 4: Massachusetts, Minnesota (D), Ohio7, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont
• March 8: Wyoming (D)
• March 11: Mississippi
APRIL 2008
• April 22: Pennsylvania8
MAY 2008
• May 6: Indiana, North Carolina
• May 13: Nebraska, West Virginia
• May 20: Kentucky, Oregon
• May 27: Idaho
JUNE 2008
• June 3: Montana, South Dakota
AUGUST 2008
• August 25-28: Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado
SEPTEMBER 2008
• September 1-4: Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

NOTE: Kansas has opted not to hold a presidential primary election in 2008.

Footnotes:
1 WY party rules state that this contest will be held on the same date as New Hampshire’s primary; therefore, it is subject to change.

2 Colorado Republicans will decide on the date of their caucus at the end of July.

3 The Democratic Party is expected to approve this date for its caucuses as well.

4 The Republican Party is considering a proposal to move its caucuses to Feb. 5 as well. Current date is June 3, 2008.

5 According to Arizona law, the governor can move the date of the primary by proclamation.

6 Current proposals include moving the voting to the following dates: Feb. 5 (R) and Feb. 9 (D), as well as Jan. 29 for both.

7 Lawmakers have introduced a bill to move the primary date to January 29, 2008.

8 According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, the following dates remain under consideration: Feb. 12 and March 4.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/blelectoralb.htm

Electoral College -- Sates and Vote by State

The Electoral College System
Learn how the Electoral College system works. From your About Guide.
Total: 538; Majority Needed to Elect: 270

ALABAMA 9 MONTANA 3
ALASKA 3 NEBRASKA 5
ARIZONA 10 NEVADA 5
ARKANSAS 6 NEW HAMPSHIRE 4
CALIFORNIA 55 NEW JERSEY 15
COLORADO 9 NEW MEXICO 5
CONNECTICUT 7 NEW YORK 31
DELAWARE 3 NORTH CAROLINA 15
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 3 NORTH DAKOTA 3
FLORIDA 27 OHIO 20
GEORGIA 15 OKLAHOMA 7
HAWAII 4 OREGON 7
IDAHO 4 PENNSYLVANIA 21
ILLINOIS 21 RHODE ISLAND 4
INDIANA 11 SOUTH CAROLINA 8
IOWA 7 SOUTH DAKOTA 3
KANSAS 6 TENNESSEE 11
KENTUCKY 8 TEXAS 34
LOUISIANA 9 UTAH 5
MAINE 4 VERMONT 3
MARYLAND 10 VIRGINIA 13
MASSACHUSETTS 12 WASHINGTON 11
MICHIGAN 17 WEST VIRGINIA 5
MINNESOTA 10 WISCONSIN 10
MISSISSIPPI 6 WYOMING 3
MISSOURI 11