The RNC's new, elongated scheduling model was based on the extended (but productive) fight between Barack and Hillary in 2008. Benjy Sarlin shows how this approach has completely backfired:
The intense Clinton/Obama battle inspired huge surges in voter registration and helped spread the Democrats’ message in states that normally didn’t hear from them. Some observers credited the primary with swinging North Carolina and Indiana to Obama in the general election, after years of Republican dominance. In addition, the eventual nominee Obama burnished his reputation with a surprisingly resilient campaign and filled his coffers with a spectacularly effective fundraising machine.
On the Republican side, however, turnout is down from 2008 levels in most states and Mitt Romney’s favorability ratings have been dipping into dangerous levels, especially with independents. While the primary helped Obama cultivate a huge fundraising operation, Romney’s money is dwindling fast as he’s forced to spend huge sums to keep his upstart rivals from knocking him out. Adding to the mix, the newly legal Super PACs have turned into an ideal vehicle for devastating attack ads that help drag the entire field down. The rules may be there to encourage an Obama/Clinton marathon, but the candidates aren’t.
Friedersdorf adds:
The Democrats were deciding which historic nominee excited them most. Republicans can't decide who depresses them least.
The Dish 