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Not only is she running, but we have a very good idea of what it will look like.

Hillary Clinton is in the final stages of planning a presidential campaign that is likely to launch in early April, and has made decisions on most top posts, according to numerous Democrats in close contact with the Clintons and their aides.

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Campaign advisers say the likelihood of a campaign, long at 98 percent (she never really hesitated, according to one person close to her), went to 100 percent right after Christmas, when Clinton approved a preliminary budget and several key hires.

Most of the top slots have been decided, with one notable exception: communications director, a job that is now the subject of intense lobbying and jockeying by some of the biggest names in Democratic politics. One top contender is White House Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri, who is close to likely campaign chairman John Podesta.

Numerous lessons from Clintons failed 08 campaign are being baked into the 2016 plan, including a determination to improve relations with the press or, at the very least, to have a good cop role to help her get off on a better foot with the journalists who will help shape her image.

Reflecting other lessons learned, the campaign is being planned with more of a big-tent mentality, as one adviser put it. And Bill Clinton is being integrated from the start, after feeling isolated from parts of her campaign against Barack Obama.

One component of Hillary Clintons emerging strategy involves quietly but aggressively courting key endorsers from the left, who could help increase progressives comfort level and take the wind out of a potential challenge. Two top targets: Robert Reich, the economist and former Labor secretary for her husband, and Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the civil-rights icon. In December, she won public endorsements from Howard Dean and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.).

Bill Clinton is already deeply engaged in the campaign, warning that Jeb Bush is a real threat, while New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is probably just a sideshow.

The former president got a heads-up from the camp of President George H.W. Bush a few days before Jeb Bush made his surprise Facebook announcement in December that he would actively explore a campaign. The two former presidents have developed a friendly bond, partly because of their work together on earthquake relief for Haiti.

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Inside Hillary Clinton's 2016 plan