She's a newer face, so she can run more effectively as a change candidate.
There isn't a perception that she succeeded due to a husband or powerful relatives.
She's a minority, so she doesn't have to try as hard to win those votes.
She's a younger progressive, so she'll have an "in" with the activists. But 13 years as a prosecutor, and 4 years as a Senator in the minority party will limit the amount of controversial votes that can scare centrists.
She has some disadvantages as well (no kids, a Californian might not appeal to voters in key rust belt/ southeastern swing states.)
Well, I thought this as well. But the people who say they don't vote for her because of this, wouldn't vote for her anyway.
You could argue the same about Obama as well. And if she selects a strong running mate from these regions or from middle-America that may change. Fine choices would be Bullock, Heinrich, Bennet, Hickenlooper or JBE.
