The next dates of importance
February 9th: Three diverse states cast their votes: Louisiana, one of the most conservative, Washington, one of the most liberal, and Kansas (Republican primary only), in the deep midwest.
February 12th: An interesting test of the black Democratic vote when Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia go to the polls.
February 19th: Wisconsin and Barack Obama's birthplace, Hawaii, cast their votes.
March 4th: The next Super Tuesday: Ohio and Texas, two delegate-rich states, east-coast liberal Vermont and Rhode Island all vote.
April 22nd: In the rust-belt state of Pennsylvania economic issues are likely to be key.
May 6th: The last big states to vote are Indiana and North Carolina.
August 25th: Democratic national convention in Denver, Colorado.
September 1st: Republican national convention in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota.