Here is the relevant Democratic Party rule regarding the timing of
presidential primaries and caucuses re: the Democrats (Rule 10A):
"No meetings, caucuses, conventions or primaries which constitute the
first determining stage in the presidential nomination process (the date
of the primary in Primary states, and the date of the first tier caucus
in Caucus/Convention states) may be held prior to the first Tuesday in
March [7 March in 2000] or after the second Tuesday in June [13 June in
2000] in the calendar year of the National Convention. Provided,
however, that the Iowa precinct caucuses may be held no earlier than 15
days before the first Tuesday in March [this would have been Monday 21
February 2000- the original date of the Iowa caucuses before they were
moved up twice and now must certainly be moved up yet a third time!];
that the New Hampshire primary may be held no earlier than 7 days before
the first Tuesday in March [this would have put the New Hampshire
primary on Tuesday 29 February... of course, now the N.H. primary is
scheduled for four full weeks earlier!]..."
This is why a Delaware primary for the Democrats in February is out of
compliance with Democratic Party rules (while Iowa and New Hampshire are
also now out of compliance with Democratic Party rules although the
Democrats will almost certainly have to let these two states slide...
but then, why can't Delaware also be allowed to slide!)