Morpheus, you might be right except for one thing: an untested candidate won't be adequately vetted in a month. Think of what Obama has had to deal with in March and April. If the nominatino had been decided in Feb, he wouldn't have been slammed and tested until the Republicans did it. This way all the dirt is already out there and by the time of the real campaign it will all be old news.

I agree it goes on too long, but having at least some substantial period for primary campaigning is not a bad thing.