Great article SE Mom. This republican primary selection process needs to be fixed by the next election. I never knew how screwed up it was till now.
In trying to figure this all out- it appears there’s a struggle between the RNC and state GOP leaders. Look here and note how many of the early states (including mine- florida) have been penalized for early primaries.
http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/primaries/republicanprimaries/index.html
The states are trying to push up the season so they/we have more say in the outcome- the RNC pushes back with penalities...it’s a MESS.