We are barely into 2011, so the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., and the Republican convention in Tampa, Fla., to nominate presidential candidates for the 2012 election seem far away.
The GOP gathering is set for August 2012. The Democrat convention is scheduled for September 2012. By holding their convention in North Carolina, Democrats hope to show they can compete in the conservative South. Barack Obama narrowly won North Carolina in 2008, but Democrats lost badly in the state in the 2010 midterm elections, with Republicans taking control of both houses of the Legislature.
Republicans, meanwhile, clearly desire the electoral support of the swing state of Florida.
Obama has the advantages of incumbency and name recognition, of course. He almost certainly will be the Democrat nominee - and will be able to raise lots of campaign money.
But who will be the GOP nominee?
Obama is vulnerable, and names such as Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin (and quite a few others) have been floated as challengers. All have strengths and weaknesses, but so far, no GOP hopeful has clearly risen "above the crowd" of potential candidates.
Will Obama waltz to a second term? Or will "lightning strike" and illuminate a Republican who offers such inspiring and sound leadership that he will capture the enthusiasm of voters in 2012?
Millions of Americans are wondering - and hoping.