Clinton’s official announcement in 2007 to run for president was a formality on the way to a nomination that seemed certain to most Republicans. In fact, most of them spent much of 2007 publicly debating which candidate was best-equipped to run against the New York senator.

But as in life, in politics there is no such thing as a sure thing.

Gauging public attitudes can be a flimsy, inconclusive exercise. We can often learn a great deal more about popular opinion by asking people not only what they think but what they know. At the start of the race arguably, her best advantage seem to have been:

(1) Her husband

The former president stilled hovered around the top of the list of most admired chief executives and influential Democrats at the start of the race. Hillary had one strong chance in campaign efforts at the start and that was to play the Bill Clinton card to the Hilt. No other candidate can boast of having a former president, an arguably a good one at that, as their spouse or closest advisor.

(2) Long-standing public service record

Clinton's efforts to stress her credentials as a fighter -- and her years of experience taking on the "Republican attack machine". Before the race began, the '90s were remembered as an era of plummeting crime rates and soaring opportunity, when jobs seemed plentiful and the deficit disappeared.

(3) Support of Long-time Democratic Icons

Bill Richardson, the nation's only Hispanic governor, was energy secretary and UN ambassador during the Bill Clinton administration. Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights movement veteran and Democratic congressional leader who endorsed Hillary Clinton. Bill Richardson. The list was a long one at the start.

Democratic icons such as Sen. Edward Kennedy and former Clinton loyalists such as New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson began to back Obama, with their announcements driving potentially damaging headlines off the nation's front pages at critical moments in his campaign.

But later one, democratic icons such as Sen. Edward Kennedy and former Clinton loyalists such as New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson began to back Obama, with their announcements driving potentially damaging headlines off the nation's front pages at critical moments in his campaign.


(4) Clinton and White Voters

Clinton seemed to have a broader base to build a winning coalition while Barack Obama's white support was only in younger demographic groups. Many even considered Obama to be appealing only to the white elite.

“You pour coffee, fix hair, you work the night shift at the local hospital," an announcer says. "You're often overworked, underpaid, and sometimes overlooked. But not by everyone. One candidate has put forth an American family agenda to make things easier for everyone who works so hard.”

Clinton struggled to navigate the minefield. Some of her toughest attacks on Obama struck a sour note. What was about the dynamic of the presidential campaign that ultimately turned these real advantages into Hillary’s ultimate precursors to her failing presidential bid?