What is the deal with "eight months?"

[question everything]

On CNN, and perhaps on other media outlets, we hear that now Kerry (and Bush) will start campaigning and we are eight months before the general elections. But... this is how it was in 2000 and 1996, wasn't it? Gore had it for himself by March as was Dole in 1996. So what is so new or different this year?

Yes, I know that many here do not trust anyone from the media, though I am often grateful for CNN realizing that were it not for it, the only other all news channel would be... Faux News..

Still, is this a question that even needs to be addressed?

[aquart]

1. Aren't British elections legally limited to six weeks?

I think it would be very nice if we did something like that. Short, cheap, over.

[sadiesworld]

2. Absolutely, it might even make pundits obsolete.