Iowa and New Hampshire jealously guard their traditional roles as the hosts of the nation’s first caucus and Presidential primary, respectively.

Especially with the rare circumstances surrounding the 2008 election - no incumbent president or vice president is seeking the White House, and no prohibitive favorite has emerged in either party - these states treasure their first-in-the-nation status.

In New Hampshire, where I once lived, the primary is not only the stuff of lore, but revered as though it were a God-given right and the source of significant pride.

So it should come as no surprise that Granite State residents have flipped their lids as the Democratic Party flirts with the idea of moving Nevada forward in the nominating process. At least for the moment, the rage has been limited to public outcry, rather than any change in policy or active campaign to get the DNC to dump the Nevada plan.

In Iowa, however, the chamber of commerce has officially gone mad at the thought of Nevada stealing its thunder. So much so that they are reportedly considering kicking off the 2008 caucuses by throwing a nationally televised Hollywood event with celebrities such as - wait for it - Britney Spears.

The Democrats need to remember that the Republicans nixed Spears from their convention in 2004, where she was set to perform, because they were worried about being associated with her image. That was 2004. As in, before two rapid-fire pregnancies, a public divorce, and Crotchgate.

America needs a change, and an appearance by Britney would deviate from the norm as far as the electoral process is concerned. But no matter how much Iowa treasures its caucuses, sending a signal that we need more public drunkenness, nudity and divorce is probably not the way to go.

Howard Dean, are you listening?