So did the author criticize John Kerry for declaring in September back in 2004?
Probably not but then 2004 was many many many years ago and a whole different type of election. 2008 will be the ninth Presidential election I will vote in and they've all been different.
No,,,,and even Ronald Reagan didn’t declare until November in 1979. But the primary system has been so greatly accelerated by competition between the states to be earlier—that any further delay is just plain wasting the precious time left until February, by which time the process will likely have selected a nominee.
Al Gore hasn’t announced yet either.