Now that Florida has officially moved its primaries forward to the same day as the Democratic primary in South Carolina, candidates have less incentive to continue to heavily campaign in the Palmetto State. Some could, theoretically, focus the “Southern” portion of their campaign almost entirely on Florida. But according to The State, a number of candidates have said that won’t be the case.

Either way, the real winner here is Florida’s GOP-controlled legislature, who made the decision to move the primary forward. Looking at it from their perspective, it was a great tactical move.

Knowing that the S.C. Dems could not change their date and S.C. Republicans could, they have forced Democratic candidates to completely change their schedule to accomodate Florida. Republican candidates will still have to pay attention to Florida, but because S.C. WILL inevitably be at least a week before the Sunshine State, it does not require the same drastic change of plans.

Given Florida’s size and importance as a swing state in general elections, however, serious candidates will have to run hard in Florida, meaning South Carolina will have to share the spotlight.

The decision to move the Florida primary to Jan. 29 is less of a threat to S.C. Republicans, who unilaterally can move the date of their 2008 primary, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 2.

S.C. GOP chairman Katon Dawson has made clear he’ll preserve the Palmetto State’s role as the first-in-the-South presidential primary. The Republican National Committee requires state parties to set primary dates by Sept. 4, and Dawson will wait as long as possible to pick.

For S.C. Democrats, however, Florida’s move is grating. Democrats here played by the rules and won a hard-fought battle within the Democratic National Committee to vote alone on Jan. 29. Then Florida’s GOP-controlled legislature and Republican Gov. Charlie Crist kicked sand in their face. [AARON GOULD SHEININ, The State]

It is also interesting to note that PBS is already working on a Florida presidential debate. Oh boy! Could anything be more exciting than 90 minutes of faux debating lead by Jim Lehrer?