How do I clean up text characters converted to mesh? I have found a time consuming way to create one mesh object per character.

Start with a text object:
"abcdef ...etc..."


Alt+C -> Select object and convert text to mesh.
Tab -> Go to edit mode.
Z -> Enter wire frame view
B -> Select each character with box select one at a time.
Select bridge edge loops
P -> separate by selection


Repeat for each character.

Is there a way to bridge edge loops for all loose parts? A faster simpler way? Script?

Example of the problem with the mesh from text:
Instead of using Bridge Edge Loops, use Remove Doubles.

W > Remove Doubles.