While it hasn't been announced, it seems the primary calender may finally be set. At least, the candidates in both parties seem to believe it is. Marc Ambinder reports the details for The Atlantic:
Jan. 5: Iowa caucuses (both parties)
Jan. 8: New Hampshire primary (both parties)
Jan. 12: Nevada caucuses (both parties)
Jan. 15 Michigan GOP primary; Dem beauty contest
Jan. 19: South Carolina primary (both parties)
Jan. 29: Florida GOP primary; Dem beauty contest
Read the whole post at the above link. Of course, the "beauty contests" are nothing of the sort: despite the rantings of the DNC and RNC, every delegate will be allowed to vote and every vote will count. Once a candidate reaches a majority of delegates and sews up the nomination, he or she then effectively controls the convention, and the National Committees will have no real authority over it anymore. No candidate is going to risk slighting the voters in states like Michigan or Florida, so pay no attention to the bluster and threats.
Everyone can at least breathe a sigh of relief that the frantic rush to the front has apparently ended without any events being pushed into 2007. It's still unofficial, though . . .


