The 2012 primary and caucus schedule gets an early start this time around, with Florida jumping the gun and setting its primary for Jan. 31. That has forced the early states of Iowa, South Carolina and likely New Hampshire to jump into January, in order to maintain their traditional "first" statuses. Now, much like 2008, the competition for president will begin in the chilly Midwest just after New Years Day.

The race for the nomination will now be well underway, with the early states setting the pace. Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and Michigan are now in play, with strong states and many delegates at stake. There could be not one, but several mini "Super Tuesdays" in February.

The South will be in play in March, with Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama among states at stake. Ohio is considered a swing state and will be in play. But all eyes will be on Tuesday, March 6, where 11 states and territories will compete in the mother of all "Super Tuesdays" for GOP contests.

The Northeast and nation's capital region will dominate attention in April, with largely left-leaning primaries in D.C. and Maryland and big New York drawing Democratic attention. But Pennsylvania, with big splits between its liberal cities and the more conservative southwestern steel towns, could make it interesting.

The Midwest state of Indiana and the southern states of North Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas and West Virginia are considered key to any presidential victory, and will be tough battlegrounds for any potential nominee. Fairly liberal Oregon will be offset by more conservative Idaho out west, and Nebraska will be a battleground for the Republicans.

The ultimate Republican nominee will likely be clarified by June, but big states of California, Ohio and New Jersey still hold a large number of delegates. Look for the Plains state of South Dakota to be an easy win for whoever is the GOP favorite.