Clerics, even in 3.5, are only a better option as a frontliner in my opinion if you get to spend several rounds buffing or you can use some tricks (Multiple Nightsticks and Divine Metamagic) to make some buffs all day duration.
That's not always an option because of limited book selection or other tweaks.
What I like most about Pathfinder is they don't just fire off a base class and forget about it, they continue to offer support with new Archetypes and expanded lists of selectables like Rogue Talents.
Oh, and they tweaked some famously poor classes to make me, at least, actually want to play them. Monks and Paladins come to mind.