Political Wire is reporting that the early states are even more important this time around because the large states have moved up in the nominating schedule…

For months, politicians in big states like California, Florida and Michigan have griped about their lack of influence in the 2008 presidential race, pushing up their primaries to try to diminish the sway of Iowa and New Hampshire,” the Los Angeles Times reports. “Now, thanks to those efforts, Iowa and New Hampshire appear more important than ever.”

This has been my feeling all along.

If larger states really wanted more influence, they would be moving their primaries and caucuses back to March.  Let the early states act like the preseason where some candidates get cut and some make the team. Then the regular season starts up with the bigger state in mid February and early March.