"Apparently Sargent Shriver tracked it down, found me in the hospital where I was still unconscious, and reported to my dad that I was alive and scrawny and the same kid he has always known," Romney recalled.

Pity the people of Iowa and New Hampshire who thought they'd get a breather before the 2008 presidential campaign heats up.

It's already under way.

No fewer than eight potential candidates planned to be in the states the rest of the month to attend fund-raisers and political party dinners and try to endear themselves to voters probably wondering if their calendars are wrong.

And in case anyone was unsure about what was happening, consider this entry on the New Hampshire Democratic Party's calendar.

On March 26, the Franklin City Democratic Committee will hold a spaghetti dinner and fund-raiser for local candidates.

"Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (presidential candidate) will be the guest speaker," the calendar says.

Bayh has made no formal announcement.