"Iowa is not going to be driven by the Republican Party in South Carolina making a change to their primary date, " said Carrie Giddins, communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party.
"We are not going to make any comment or announcement until New Hampshire announces its primary date, " said Mary Tiffany, communications director for the Iowa Republican Party.
Republican state party chair Jim Greer says the Democratic stumbling over the January 29th primary date presents the GOP with an opportunity in Florida.
Indeed, in the hours after Kirk Fordham's revelation, Hastert skipped a radio talk show date on WGN in Chicago to take part in a conference call that included national Republican leaders.
Demoralized Republican operatives are reported to be planning a secret meeting to decide whether McCain should be dumped at this very late date by another candidate on the grounds of ill health.