I have no problem with that characterization, if only because I think every state has been trying to do that in some way or another to score points, or just to matter. I hate the whole primary system. Almost makes you long for the back-room negotiation days from when the convention might have actually been important. (”Might have” b/c despite my age, I don’t remember a time when they were actually important.)
Primary season should be shortened. Dates should be distributed evenly over the period, with specific states randomly assigned their dates by draw two years prior.
This idiocy of giving the same “early primary” states enormous influence on who the candidates will be every year needs to stop.
It plays, for example a big role in corporate welfare for farmers and ethanol producers. Iowa.