We should know a little more about the presidential nominating process after Thursday night, when Iowa residents caucus to choose Republican and Democratic candidates.

We’ll know even more by next Tuesday, when New Hampshire holds the first-in-the-nation primary. Unfortunately, that one-two punch from the two small states will start to erode the large fields from both parties.

The nominations could be decided by Feb. 5, when 22 other states hold caucuses or primaries.

Pennsylvania will get around to holding its primary on April 22. Don’t count on it meaning anything other than to rubber stamp what other states have done before us.

Of course, there is that outside chance — however slim — that one candidate from either party will not run away with the nomination. We’ll see soon enough.

— John Guerriero