Hillary Clinton announces 2016 bid — but the same vulnerabilities and weaknesses remain

In a way, it’s fitting that Hillary Clinton has announced her 2016 presidential campaign the Sunday after most Christians celebrated Easter: the presumptive frontrunner for the Democratic nomination is attempting a political resurrection.

I’m running for president. Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion. –H https://t.co/w8Hoe1pbtC

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 12, 2015

After a surprising and embarrassing loss to Barack Obama, Clinton is already back to where she was eight years ago: far and away her party’s strongest contender for the presidency. If anything, she is in a more dominant position.

As late as December 2007, Clinton enjoyed an 18-point lead over her nearest competition among Democrats nationally. ‘Gallup’s 2007 national presidential polling strongly points to Clinton winning the 2008 Democratic nomination,’ the legendary American pollsters concluded in a review conducted October of that year. ‘Barring something unusual or otherwise unexpected, she is well positioned for the 2008 Democratic primaries.