'08 Campaign Calendar Is a Mess: Rove

The 2008 election cycle is a ridiculous mess, writes Karl Rove in today's Wall Street Journal. Though the primary campaign began earlier than ever, it will be decided in an unprecedented whirlwind, with 32 states being determined between Jan. 3 and Feb. 5. No candidate can effectively campaign in that many states that quickly, and worse, it’ll lead to an overlong general election march.

The bunched-up primaries will further swell the influence of early states, Rove argues, raising the likelihood of a “bandwagon” candidate sweeping early contests. And the extended general election will bore voters “even more than it has in the past.” It’s too late to save ’08, but whether by legislation or party rules, we have to do better next time, the longtime GOP operative writes. (More Karl Rove stories.)