Will the Republicans be able to hang on?

With just three and a half weeks to go the betting exchange, Betfair, has now opened a range of markets on what will surely be the most important elections in the world during 2006 – the mid terms.

Currently, the Republicans run both houses of Congress, but the outcome in November 2006 seems in doubt given the unpopularity both of President Bush and Congress. If the Democrats win one or both houses, the implications for the Bush administration are serious.

A full list of the betting opportunities is available here. So far very little money has been staked but this will change as more punters get to know about what’s on offer.

In August Lewis Baston, research officer of the Electoral Reform Socoety, posted this excellent analysis.

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Mike Smithson