Everyone seems to complain about Iowa and New Hampshire going first. I'm not a fan of their "privileged status" either. So, here's a simple solution: National Primary Day.
Any state interested in picking the nominee before the media hurricane blowing horse race manure on the country should do one simple thing: Set their primary or caucus day to the same day as Iowa's Caucus. The law should be in plain and simple English
Our Presidential Election Primary or Caucus or similar contest should be held on the same day as Iowa, or whichever state has theirs first.
Seriously, who gives a flying leap about angering Iowa or New Hampshire?
They move it early, everyone follows. This law will neuter the laws that Iowa and New Hampshire have.
Big states like Illinois, New York, Texas, and California wont be ATMs.
I believe that there is enough time for all other 48 states to change their laws. Iowa and New Hampshire can have their hissy fits, but tough. The media will have to report over the country and they wont result to lazy punditry and analysis.
Update on the flip
Update If having everyone go at the same time is a bad idea, then we should try a lottery. I admit we're going into a train wreck next year. But in 2012, lets try this:
Primaries and Caucuses should be held from March to May. The whole process should take 10 weeks
Get a lottery machine, one of where you pick balls out of the spinner.
Every state has a ball. 5 states are picked from the lottery machine and the groups of 5 go at the same time.
Here's the catch: Iowa and New Hampshire should not have their lottery balls in the machine until at least the third round. This restriction should be only for 1 election cycle.
First round is on March 4rd, 2008
Ever successive round is on the next tuesday.
The lottery should be held at least 2 years before the first primary. This should be binding for all states.