The plan drew howls from New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley, who first told NBC News that his state would be the first primary contest no matter what.

The Democratic National Committee "did not give New Hampshire the first-in-the-nation primary," Buckley said. "It is not theirs to take away. We will be holding our primary first."

South Carolina, however, was elated.

“It appears Joe Biden is not just trying to transform America, but he’s attempting to transform the way we elect presidents, and his impact is going to be felt for generations to come,” South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Trav Robertson said.

The White House set out a plan, first reported by The Washington Post and confirmed by NBC News, in which Biden asked for a schedule that had South Carolina's primary first, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada a week later and, after that, Georgia and then Michigan.

In a letter Thursday to the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee, Biden, who did not specify his preferred order of states, wrote, "For decades, Black voters in particular have been the backbone of the Democratic Party but have been pushed to the back of the early primary process."

He also said Democrats "should no longer allow caucuses as part of our nominating process," dealing an expected blow to Iowa.

NBC News reported earlier in the day that officials were poised to drop Iowa and move up Michigan in their presidential primary calendar starting in 2024, according to several Democratic officials involved in the process.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., called the White House plan “short-sighted” and vowed Thursday to stay the course on the state’s tradition of holding a first-in-the-nation primary, citing a state statute dictating that New Hampshire must hold its primary seven days before any other state.

“It’s a shame the White House’s short-sighted decision risks splintering attention from candidates, denying voters crucial opportunities to connect with candidates and hear their visions and policy priorities,” Shaheen said in a statement.

“As frustrating as this decision is, it holds no bearing over when we choose our primary date," she added. "We look forward to hosting candidates in New Hampshire for the 2024 presidential primary.”

Party members debating the future of their nominating process have been anxiously waiting on word from the White House ahead of a key meeting Friday.

The reshuffling, which party insiders expect to be formally proposed at a DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting that starts Friday, is aimed at simultaneously enhancing the influence of nonwhite voters in the nomination process and ensuring Democrats pick standard-bearers who can compete effectively against Republicans in battleground states.

“I want our primary process to reflect the direction of our party,” a committee member said. Michigan offers racial and ethnic diversity, as well as a mix of urban, suburban and rural voters, this person said, adding, “Iowa just doesn’t have that.”

Final ratification will not take place until the next meeting of the full DNC early next year, but the White House endorsement paved the way for the new plan and the elevation of certain states.

After news of the proposed state order emerged, Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan indicated she was pleased that her state was being included in the first five contests, while pointing out that finalizing the list is still weeks away.