Iowa will not ruin Christmas for political campaign staffers and reporters, having tentatively set the date of its caucuses for January 3, instead of the day after the holiday, as many had feared. The Associated Press reports that the Iowa Republican party will make the new date official on Monday. Republicans had wanted a later start to the primary season than in 2008; voting was penciled in for February. But when Florida moved its primary date to January 31 earlier this month, it created a domino effect, as the traditional early voting states moved up their vote dates to preserve their special status. Nevada's caucuses were then moved up January 14. But Iowa GOP chair tells the Associated Press they're "bringing sanity to this process," and sparing Christmas. There's even an extra day to cure a New Year's hangover.

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Elspeth Reeve