Seems to me the best thing states could do in terms of scheduling their 2008 caucuses and primaries it to move them back a few months. Ten months before the general election is way too early. They should shift to April or May or June–all of them, including Iowa and New Hampshire.

The stampede to be first, or at least second or third of fourth, reminds me of my daughter’s soccer team, which I coach. During practice, I can tell the players–mainly six-year-old girls–to line up for some drills but as soon as they’re close to set they start cheating over the line because each one wants to start with a very slight advantage. I have to blow my whistle and tell everybody to take three steps back. Then we can begin. Same thing with these primaries.