“This caucus format does not reflect the reality of life and we're doing everything in our power to make voting easier for people. The Iowa caucus is the most painful, awkward approach,” Durbin said. “I don't think even today's announcement will have the same impact.”

“It’s certainly not good for Iowa. To the extent it persists the primary and delays us getting behind a single nominee, that is what is not helpful,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). “The sooner we get to some clarity about an eventual nominee the better off we are, because we can actually start to engage rather than be fussing with each other.”

Democrats didn’t exactly say that Iowa should get to the back of the primary line in 2024. And given the possibility the state is competitive this November none would unload on the Iowa Democratic Party, which helped House Democrats pick up two House seats in the 2018 midterms.

But Democrats who have long complained about the lack of diversity in a pivotal state as well as the inscrutable rules of the caucuses see an opportunity to rethink how Democrats choose future nominees.

"It can be among the first but it really does not represent the diversity of America. It speaks to an important part of America, which we should never ignore. But it would be better if the first test had a more diverse voter base,” Durbin said.