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7 charts that reveal Hillary Clinton’s biggest strengths in the race for the White House – and why they could also cause her downfall 7 charts that reveal Hillary Clinton's biggest strengths in the race for the White House – and why they could also cause her downfall
(about 16 hours later)
After months, if not years, of speculation and anticipation, Hillary Clinton has formally announced she is to make a second attempt to become the US’s first woman president.After months, if not years, of speculation and anticipation, Hillary Clinton has formally announced she is to make a second attempt to become the US’s first woman president.
Mrs Clinton, 67, declared that she wanted to help ordinary Americans to try and tackle the growing economic hardships faced by millions of voters.Mrs Clinton, 67, declared that she wanted to help ordinary Americans to try and tackle the growing economic hardships faced by millions of voters.
Her announcement comes a day after President Barack Obama – the man who beat her for the Democratic nomination in 2008 – declared she would make an “excellent” president.Her announcement comes a day after President Barack Obama – the man who beat her for the Democratic nomination in 2008 – declared she would make an “excellent” president.
The polarising Mrs Clinton will be a large and instant target for the Republicans. Ahead of her announcement, one of those who will likely run against her denounced her record as Secretary of State in Mr Obama’s administration.The polarising Mrs Clinton will be a large and instant target for the Republicans. Ahead of her announcement, one of those who will likely run against her denounced her record as Secretary of State in Mr Obama’s administration.
“We must to do better than the Obama-Clinton foreign policy that has damaged relationships with our allies and emboldened our enemies,” said former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.“We must to do better than the Obama-Clinton foreign policy that has damaged relationships with our allies and emboldened our enemies,” said former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
Here are seven things that could determine whether she reaches the White House:Here are seven things that could determine whether she reaches the White House:
Mrs Clinton is 67 years old and if she is elected she will be 69 by the time she is inaugurated in January 2017. Only one US president, Ronald Reagan, who was two weeks shy of his 70th birthday when he took office in January 1981, will have been older. Mrs Clinton appears robust but she is human, and in December 2012 she had a health scare and was hospitalised after suffering a blood clot.Mrs Clinton is 67 years old and if she is elected she will be 69 by the time she is inaugurated in January 2017. Only one US president, Ronald Reagan, who was two weeks shy of his 70th birthday when he took office in January 1981, will have been older. Mrs Clinton appears robust but she is human, and in December 2012 she had a health scare and was hospitalised after suffering a blood clot.
Every poll puts Mrs Clinton far ahead of any other potential Democratic candidates and most place her ahead of any Republicans too. But being the front-runner can carry dangers – arrogance and complacency from the candidate and boredom among voters.Every poll puts Mrs Clinton far ahead of any other potential Democratic candidates and most place her ahead of any Republicans too. But being the front-runner can carry dangers – arrogance and complacency from the candidate and boredom among voters.
Reports say that Mrs Clinton’s campaign, when combined with the efforts of the so-called super PACs, wants to raise up to $2.5bn, a sum that would dwarf all previous campaigns. This would help hugely in the campaign battles; in 2008 she ran short of funds as the battle against Mr Obama persisted. But it could also leave her open to allegations of being too close to Wall Street and corporate donors, and of ignoring grass-roots support.Reports say that Mrs Clinton’s campaign, when combined with the efforts of the so-called super PACs, wants to raise up to $2.5bn, a sum that would dwarf all previous campaigns. This would help hugely in the campaign battles; in 2008 she ran short of funds as the battle against Mr Obama persisted. But it could also leave her open to allegations of being too close to Wall Street and corporate donors, and of ignoring grass-roots support.
Among potential supporters of Mrs Clinton, the reason most given as to why they wish to vote for her is because she would become the US’s first woman president. When she bowed out in 2008, she expressed her regret that she had been unable to break “that highest and hardest glass ceiling”. Of course, there will be some voters out there who will not vote for her for precisely the same reason.Among potential supporters of Mrs Clinton, the reason most given as to why they wish to vote for her is because she would become the US’s first woman president. When she bowed out in 2008, she expressed her regret that she had been unable to break “that highest and hardest glass ceiling”. Of course, there will be some voters out there who will not vote for her for precisely the same reason.
While Mrs Clinton is the front-runner among Democrats, she is someone who also has high “negatives”; namely, many people who do not support her, dislike her intensely. There are a large number Americans who virulently dislike both Mrs Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton. Indeed, her negativity rating has at times almost been as high as her favourability ratings. Barack Obama was similarly polarising, but prevailed anyway.While Mrs Clinton is the front-runner among Democrats, she is someone who also has high “negatives”; namely, many people who do not support her, dislike her intensely. There are a large number Americans who virulently dislike both Mrs Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton. Indeed, her negativity rating has at times almost been as high as her favourability ratings. Barack Obama was similarly polarising, but prevailed anyway.
There have been at least four times over the past 20 years when Mrs Clinton’s ratings tumbled and yet she managed to bounce back.  She is determined, disciplined and driven. Mrs Clinton will not want voters to perceive of her as either ruthless or aggressive, but no one should be in any doubt that she is a genuine fighter.There have been at least four times over the past 20 years when Mrs Clinton’s ratings tumbled and yet she managed to bounce back.  She is determined, disciplined and driven. Mrs Clinton will not want voters to perceive of her as either ruthless or aggressive, but no one should be in any doubt that she is a genuine fighter.
Polls have shown that Mrs Clinton can attract support from all types of voters, something that will be essential if she is to make it all the way to the White House.Polls have shown that Mrs Clinton can attract support from all types of voters, something that will be essential if she is to make it all the way to the White House.
Experts say that among that demographic coalition, she draws particularly strong support among women and younger voters. Among women, those who have been to college are especially likely to vote for her, while her support among voters aged 18-39 is stronger than any of her likely Republican rivals.Experts say that among that demographic coalition, she draws particularly strong support among women and younger voters. Among women, those who have been to college are especially likely to vote for her, while her support among voters aged 18-39 is stronger than any of her likely Republican rivals.