Early primaries

The 2008 presidential campaign has been pretty much going at full throttle since ... . When was the last presidential election?

Right. 2004. So we've had nearly three years already of posturing and fundraising.

Now the candidates -- and the voters they hope to woo -- are focusing on primary contests that start just two weeks into 2008. For Democrats, the "Who will be first to test which way the political winds are blowing -- not to mention get all the media attention?" contest has resulted in a dustup over primary rules. The Democratic National Committee opposes Florida's plan to have its primary Jan. 29. It says it will not recognize delegates selected by Florida, and Democratic candidates have pledged to restrict campaigning in Florida if that state violates party rules.

Never mind that Democratic Party rules allow the Iowa primary on Jan. 14 and New Hampshire's on Jan. 22 -- before Florida -- and South Carolina's also on Jan. 29. In addition to rule-snubbing Florida, Michigan has set a Jan. 15 primary.

The Democrats' internal sparring over primaries are part of the craziness of the U.S. presidential selection process. Several of the key front-runners in both parties are currently obligated to serve their constituents as U.S. senators. Where do you think their priorities are right now?

And instead of being focused on ways to cope with critical issues -- the war, the economy, health care, Social Security -- the nation's attention is being sidetracked by political games in which the top two winners will set off a campaign spending spree of $100 million or so apiece to occupy the highest office in the land, with the winner using most of the first four years jockeying for re-election.

Just wait. Unless something changes radically, future presidential contests will see primaries in the year preceding the general election. Brace yourself.