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Category: US Politics

Can the Democrats break-through in the mid-terms?

Can the Democrats break-through in the mid-terms?

With Bush’s ratings plummeting will the Republicans retain control? Probably the most important elections anywhere in the world during 2006 will be the US mid-terms on November 7th when the Republicans will be defending their control of both the House and the Senate. The numbers look straightforward: to win the Senate Democrats have to win six seats, which given the strength of Republican incumbents looks almost out of the question – although the collapse in confidence in recent polls on…

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Can Dick Cheney get out of this one?

Can Dick Cheney get out of this one?

It’s 4/1 that he’ll be out by the end of the year After the weekend shooting incident in Texas in which the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney, shot a friend in the face there’s now a market on whether he will hang onto his job. The Irish-based exchange, Tradesports, has two two betting options – that he’ll resign by June 30th or that he will resign by December 31st. The latest prices converted from the binary basis on which the exchange…

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Is this the man who can beat Hilary?

Is this the man who can beat Hilary?

Mark Warner 8/1 for the Democrat nomination and 40/1 to be President Every time we’ve discussed the next US White House race in recent months one of PB.C’s most long-standing contributors, Ben, has advised that a key person to watch for the Democrat nomination is the outgoing Governor of Virginian and former cellphone tycoon, Mark Warner. This always seemed odd because in the regular US polls Warner was not even listed as one of the potential challengers – or was…

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It’s 10/1 that Bush will not serve a full 2nd term

It’s 10/1 that Bush will not serve a full 2nd term

What do we think of this new betting market? If a British Prime Minister had gone though the problems that George Bush has had in recent weeks then all the speculation would be over whether he or she could survive. With the continuing toll in Iraq, the handling of the New Orleans disaster, the failure to get his Supreme Court nominee through and now the Libby indictment it is no wonder that Bush’s personal ratings have dropped to an all…

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After Libby – will Karl Rove be next?

After Libby – will Karl Rove be next?

It’s 3/1 against him being indicted before December 31st Following tonight’s sensational news that Lewis Libby, chief-of-staff to Dick Cheney, has resigned after being charged with perjury the focus is now on Bush’s closest adviser and architect of last November’s victory, Karl Rove. He has not been charged but the case has not been closed. The Dublin-based international betting exchange, Tradesports, has a market on whether Rove will be indicted before the end of the year.The price is about 3/1…

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Senator vs Senator in 2008?

Senator vs Senator in 2008?

The favourites on both sides are Washington insiders There was a time, 40 years ago, when a career in the US Senate seemed a prerequisite for the Presidency. In 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972, both major party candidates were serving or former Senators. But Richard Nixon’s 1972 defeat of George McGovern (the candidates are pictured in a not-quite-full-colour “coffee cup poll”) was the last time this happened. Since then, no serving or former Senator has been elected as President, though…

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Is this the White House line-up for 2008?

Is this the White House line-up for 2008?

Can Hilary become a less divisive figure? It’s nearly three weeks since we last looked at the 2008 White House race and since then there have been some polls which reinforce the view that the former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani will be lined up against the New York Senator and former First Lady, Hilary Clinton. Usually at this stage in the cycle the suggested possibilities for their parties’ Presidential nominations are people with little name recognition whose first…

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Will Hilary move from FLOTUS to PROTUS*?

Will Hilary move from FLOTUS to PROTUS*?

Is it going to be Hilary vs Rudolf or Hilary vs John Even though George Bush’s second term only began on January 20th would-be seekers after their parties’ nominations are already talking with potential backers and putting visits to New Hampshire into their diaries in preparation for the 2008 race. And because Bush cannot stand again there’ll will be fierce fights amongst both the Democrats and the Republicans to get the precious nominations. If the UK betting markets have got…

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