In the past, those launched by Iowa have proved their appeal in later primaries, but that may not happen this year.

The primary system is also undemocratic; by the time the later primaries were held, the Democratic candidate had already been chosen.

Today's debate generally assumed that the present system, with states racing to get to the head of the primary line, produced low interest in later primaries.

Mr. Whouley, in turn, has had several staff members from states with later primaries transferred to Iowa to help, campaign officials said.

This may allow John McCain and Bill Bradley to remain competitive through later primaries if they do well in New Hampshire.

"This memo informed the rest of the campaign, everything that happened in the later primaries, in June, in the convention," the strategist said.

However, Lodge (who refused to become an open candidate) did not fare as well in later primaries, and Goldwater ultimately won the presidential nomination.

After a strong early start as the presumptive Democratic nominee, Russell lost the crucial California Democratic primary, and several later primaries, to Santos.

The system of staggered primaries means that voters in later primaries may find that the nominee has already been selected before they vote.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who expects to do much better in later primaries, fell from 6 to 4 percent.