The Republican and the Democrat National Committees are both taking stands to try to control their statewide committees that are currently trying to leap-frog each other in the nomination process. In return, several states are taking legal action in order to keep their delegates to the National Conventions.
The condensing of the state primaries does nothing but hurt the candidates with less in the bank. This is very detrimental to the American political process. It is already hard enough for an average American to run for the Office of the President and to place another impediment in their path will only solidify the Presidency as an office of the rich and increase the disconnect with the American people. Allowing a couple small states like Iowa and New Hampshire to go first allows the candidates with fewer resources a chance to gain momentum on a national stage that would not be possible if large states like Florida or Michigan jockey their way to the front. Also, the current system allows the candidates to be tested by a few small states with very different electorates that when together offer a great representation of the American people.