In election news, South Carolina’s Republican Party is reportedly preparing to move its 2008 presidential primary forward to January 19. The Washington Post reports this decision will almost certainly spark a cascade of calendar changes that could push the start of voting in New Hampshire and Iowa to early January or even to before Christmas. South Carolina had been scheduled to hold its primary on Feb. 2 but then decided to move it ahead when Florida announced its primary would be on January 29. The earlier voting could create the longest-ever general election campaign. The nominees from the major two parties could be largely decided by mid-January, almost 10 months before Election Day.