Even though Hillary Clinton hasn't officially said she will run for president in 2016, for many observers her announcement is just a matter of time. When exactly the presumed Democratic frontrunner should formalize her ambitions has caused debate among her advisers.

CNN reported Clinton's first presidential campaign kicked off in January 2007, and considering that timeframe, the former New York senator and secretary of state should already be in the race. This time around, her campaign's official kickoff could still be months away because her consultants are split on when best to move forward.

Some confidantes privately favor a July announcement, which would coincide with the start of the third fundraising quarter. They point to the perceived lack of viable challengers; unlike in the Republican field, Democrats are unlikely to see a "furious behind-the-scenes scramble for advisers and donors."

Still, others in the Clinton camp favor a kickoff in April because they worry an "increasingly crowded Republican race" will turn up the heat on their candidate, who, in turn, needs to have her ducks in a row.

"I would say it's 40 percent," an unnamed Democrat said of the chances of delay.

Another supporter who CNN said "saw merits in both timelines," put the odds at 50 percent.

An announcement may eventually be forced by events outside the Clinton campaign if challengers within the party emerge. Though popular Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has repeatedly ruled out a White House bid, Vice President Joe Biden is "actively preparing" to run against the former first lady, Rupert Murdoch claimed.

Murdoch did not reveal how he knows Biden would jump into the race, Bloomberg noted. In past interviews, the vice president had said he was considering third candidacy after his failed 1988 and 2008 bids.

Whatever Biden's intentions, the timing of Clinton's announcement may not be as important as perceived, the Huffington Post reported. After all, "Hillary Clinton exists in a perpetual meta-state between 'always running' and 'never not running,'" Huffington Post editorialized.

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