But the 31-year, wily veteran of primary fights past isn’t about to declare victory and announce any date until all outstanding threats are fully resolved.

    “He’s still following things very closely because there could be other moves left in this process,’’ said Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan.

    In Iowa, the executive committee for Iowa Democrats is poised to schedule its caucus to take place the same night already reserved for Iowa Republicans

    This would be Thursday, Jan. 3.

    Many Iowa Democrats were pressing to stay with the traditional Saturday caucus that would put it on Jan. 5. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver had preferred it be on Jan. 14, the date the Democratic National Committee had desired for the first caucus.

     The Jan. 3 date is the best solution Gardner could have hoped for.

     If nothing else changes, Gardner must then decide if a five day spread between Iowa and NH is long enough.

    Meanwhile in Michigan, veteran Senator Carl Levin all but waved the white flag for his desire to schedule a caucus in that state the same day New Hampshire has its primary.

     The Detroit News reported today that Levin told a breakfast of political reporters he’s deferring to MI Gov. Jennifer Granholm who wants to stick with the law she signed to hold a primary there on Jan. 15.

  " "However, the governor who will decide this issue ultimately, and I believe should decide this ultimately, I believe has basically decided it’s going to be on the 15th," Levin said.

    Granholm isn’t doing New Hampshire any favors in her thinking.

     She’s supporting Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton who remains on the Jan. 15 ballot while her leading rivals there, Barack Obama and John Edwards, have withdrawn.

     The last thing Clinton wants if for Michigan to pull this caucus stunt that would raise still more questions about her allegiance to the first primary state.

     Meanwhile behind the scenes, the Edwards camp would like nothing better than to have a caucus. They believe the organizational might of union supporters give Edwards a better chance than he ever would otherwise have in a primary contest with Clinton.

    Does this also signal the last shoe to drop in this controversy will be Levin’s ultimate endorsement of Clinton?

    Last month, Clinton reined in junior Michigan senator Debbie Stabenow. Two weeks ago, it was Gov. Granholm’s turn.

   The Obama camp believes they are still in the running to get Levin’s support.