"I suppose we can blame it on other states that this has happened," said Steve Roberts of the Iowa Republican Party.

Roberts may have a track record of blaming Democrats, but not for this political pickle. The longtime state Republican committee member said that out-of-state Republicans and Democrats alike share the blame for putting the Iowa caucuses in a state of confusion.

Candidates who want to be president have invested a lot of time and money in Iowa, in hopes that that a win in the traditionally first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses will give them the boost they need for the long haul to the White House.

Candidates had planned on competing in Iowa on Jan. 14, and a week later in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primaries.

But other states keep moving up their dates. To stay ahead of the schedule, both parties may move up to Jan. 3 or Jan. 5, but not necessarily the same night.

"We would hope that we could have them the same night. I don't think it's the end of the world if they're not the same night, because they're going to be so close together anyway that you could make arguments that you get two good shots at national attention and focus," Roberts said.

Roberts said he thinks that in about a week a date will be picked. Two likely dates are Thursday, Jan. 3 or Sat. Jan. 5.

Story from KCCI Channel 8 Des Moines.