Yep. They should either charge quickly and pardon quickly. Or they should charge after the election and pardon before Barry is gone. If I were Hillary, I don’t think I’d want it to take place after a LOSING campaign, because Barry might be so made that he’d go back on his word to pardon.
So, you’re right, the safest is to have it happen early in the primary season. I’d say even before Iowa.
Maybe see how she does in Iowa and NH first. If Sanders makes a strong early showing, that would be the time to flood the airwaves with the terrible injustice that might have been done to poor Hillary ...
On the other hand, the Obama admin may want to pull the rug out from under her. Depends on who has more on whom.