The pro-Clinton media, though, assumes that she will somehow remain aloof from real-life, every day, divisive politics. The key to her high favorable numbers, Nate Silver points out, is precisely that “she has remained largely above the partisan fray that characterizes elections and fights over public policy.” But that will end if she runs for president. Candidate Clinton will have to state positions that will not satisfy everyone, not even every Democrat.

In 2008, Clinton assumed her eminence would insulate her from criticism of her position on Iraq. That did not happen. Already in this cycle she has had to play catch-up on same-sex marriage, announcing her support almost a year after Joe Biden announced his. One of these days something will come up that will separate Clinton from the rich men who finance her party. Out of elective office since 2009, she may have more trouble finessing issues than the governors and senators who have to make controversial decisions regularly. Her numbers will fall.

Finally, there is the assumption that Clinton has been thoroughly vetted. “Do conservatives really believe that if Hillary Clinton does run for president, Americans will care a bit about the old stories from the 1990s?” asks a pom-pom waving Michael Tomasky. Granted, he has something of a point. But Tomasky ignores the fact that Americans may care more than a bit about new stories from the 2010s.