“The Democrats are shooting their wad well before the Election.”
These are just the initial feelers, gauging where the big money is best spent in the general.
The NY Times had a front page story not long ago on the approved anti-Trump strategy - scorched earth demonization. They have to - Hillary has no charisma, no accomplishments, and no real effective policy proposals to run on. In particular, they will seek to make him distasteful to women, racist, and unstable.
This article was essentially a coordinating memo to the left to prepare their attack themes, to target the voter demographics that they need to swing or motivate - women, minorities and independents. They demonized Boy Scout Romney, but this cycle they will have more money, more material, and a more focused effort on going negative.