Comments on: President Obama? Web sites bet it's a done deal

Online betting sites, also called prediction markets, were eerily accurate in guessing that George W. Bush would win the presidency in 2004. Can they do it again?

[inachu]

Who wants to bet like in Florida McCain has cousins around the USA rigging the polls telling police not to let certain people in buildings so they can't vote or having a building closed for building code violations and such.

Lets keep those records online and shame them.

[Lerianis]

I have to agree. If Obama DOESN'T win, there is something seriously wrong with the voting system, considering that nearly 75% of the people polled in some polls said that they were going to vote for Obama, who are under the age of 40.

[mostafa mabrouk]

I am not going to say something about this ,but you have two skilfull candidates,who are cabable to lead the american nation to more glory and prosperity.i just watched the final results of election.i heard the speech oh John Mccain\
i deeply impressed.He was honest in front of people and voters.my best regards to this man

[the_redistributor]

God forbid that socialist Obama wins!

[inachu]

McCain is more communist than Obama. PNAC,AIPAC,AEI linked to him prove it!

[open-mind]

Careful now. The great and powerful Obama does not like it when people use the S-word. From now on, the S-word may be practiced, but not spoken. Instead you may use the politically correct word "fairnessism", which means the same thing. And be sure to sprinkle in some "hope" and "change" for good measure.

[Hernys]

Having lived in even mild socialist countries, I can tell you Obama is no socialist.
But even if he were a socialist, even more, a communist, he has fewer chances of destroying America than Palin. Have you heard her? Have you seen how easy she is to fool? The US is a solid country and can survive Obama, Clinton, Carter, even Bush. But cannot survive Palin. Either because of complete economic collapse, full scale international war (even atomic) or total administrative mess, she's capable to disintegrate the US.
I'd rather go with four years of mild socialism than with the end of this great country.

[Spedione]

Last time I checked, 94% and 7% don't add up to 100%, and it even says on the picture "Likelihood of winning 94% to 6%".

[BlitzBoy1120]

What are you trying to say, because 94+6=100.

[Michichael]

"President Barack Obama at 94 percent and the probability of John McCain winning at just 7 percent."

And the picture shows 96% vs 5%. Doesn't add up to 100.

[Michichael]

Looks like the chart's dynamic - just changed to 95%-5%, but the story still shows inaccurate percentiles.

[declan00]

Probably a rounding issue.

[karpenterskids]

I've been predicting that Obama would win since Hilary left the race.

And I don't use any special methods, either.
Just the fact that McCain is too closely associated with Bush (who has approval ratings so terrible, he won't even endorse a candidate for fear of crashing their campaign), as well as the fact that 90% of black voters will choose Obama anyways...who's also the face of "change" (be it socialism or not)...

It's obvious.
Even though I personally voted for McCain, I feel/already-know that Obama is going to win this election.


God Bless America. Please, we're begging You.

[Seaspray0]

Here's something to ponder. Those states which traditionally have a high black population (the south) such as texas, mississippi, louisiana, georgia... almost all these states have shown in the polls to be voting for the McCain by a substantial margin. This doesn't match a claim that 90% of black voters will choose Obama (whose heritage is both black and white if you bothered to check). Perhaps we are a country that is finally realizing a dream where race doesn't matter. When I vote today, it will be based on the issues. I can't afford to waste my vote on somthing as stupid as racisim.

[smallvoice]

How can Obama protect you, when he cannot protect the most vulnerable human being in the womb?
Obama is all rhetoric, no substance.
How can he lead a group of people, never mind America, when he cannot tell between a man and a woman?

[Lerianis]

Oh, get off of it. While I believe that abortion is murder, until you religious whackos start realizing that the BEST way to keep abortions from being necessary is to put girls on birth control starting at 7 or whenever they start their first period (whichever is sooner).... abortion is going to be around.

[Laserdisc]

Who ever wins.... we lose.

[Lerianis]

No, we don't.

[nigeleccles]

Obama is not only heavily odds on favorite to win. There is also a good chance that he wins by a landslide: http://www.hubdub.com/m18225/Will_Barack_Obama_win_a_landslide_victory_at_least_23_of_electoral_college_votes

[shane717]

Most if these people that responded to "polls" and ssaid they will vote for the socialist Obamba, WILL NOT VITE AS THEY SAID.Their answers are based on fear if being called
racist or bigots. The real Americans that believe in our country and our accomplishments as a nation, will vote for Senator John McCain.When the issues are truely examined there is no choice but John McCain.A vote for John McCain is a vote ti defend our beloved country, and a vote to defend our American way if life. This is a critical election. You life and liberities are at stake...This has been a media run campaign all the way..ignore it and vote your own mind !!

[ddesy]

Too bad you don't really understand socialism. If you did, you wouldn't call Obama a socialist.

John McCain is nothing but a liar. One lie after another does not make what he says the truth.

[Hernys]

That comment about the "real americans" is bordering nazism (which stands for National Socialism, in case you don't know).
The REAL AMERICANS will vote for whatever they want. If they like the current state of affairs, and can do with the risk of being governed by someone that doesn't know who the PM of Canada is (despite governing a state bordering Canada exclusively) then they'll vote Republican. Otherwise, they'll vote for whoever else is there to vote or abstain from voting.

[shane--2008]

ah the real americans, by which you mean the small minded low IQ tiny horizon minority that that vote conservative.

well "fake" america is coming to throw your worthless @ss out. and good riddance. you and your mindless jingoistic followers are exactly what the majority of the human race evolved beyond some time ago. shame you and your kind can't keep up.

have fun in the 13th century.

[the_iceman]

I just hope that old man mccain & Sarah Clueless don't win. Obama will need to battle through the racism that still exists in our country, but I believe he'll be victorious later today. He reminds me of a passionate young JFK.
Barack the vote!

We got ya back here in Oregon :)

[optimystic]

A couple of points to answer the math issues raised by others and to address the possibility of errors by betting houses...

They charge winners a fee, so the percentages can add up to a little over 100 and the house still makes money.

Betting houses do not gamble. They set the returns based on how the betting is going. If more people started betting on McCain, they would shift the odds to even it out. They offer a service; letting people bet against each other and taking a cut. That's why the line on a sports event goes up and down even when there is no news to drive it; too many peope bet on one time and they move the line to make the other more attractive and even the money. They don't always get it exact, but generally keep it close enough for their take to cover it and it averages out.

[notahat44]

I'm really happy Barak is going to win, but people seem to give too much credit (either way) to whoever is President. Don't forget there are much larger forces at work - like a Gigantic Nameless Social Disease that we all have to take responsiblity for.

[notahat44]

Oh, and here's a link to a related article by Douglas Rushkoff. If you haven't heard of this guy - check him out. He's not only witty, but very insightful and cuts through all the "crap" of politics and economics. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10082013-38.html

p.s. Yay Obama!

[Too Old For IT]

I used to have hope of a decent job to carry me to retirement. Now I have worry that i won't find room in a homeless shelter to lay my head until I die.

[mostafa mabrouk]

election race was great and competition was over bribe.Obama will restore lost confidence in out side world,same time will improve politic-economic relations with most countries,specialy in africa since
supporters to him over imagination