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Traders Bet On McCain vs. Obama

Frontrunners look like primary winners in prediction markets

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2008 10:00 AM CST

(Newser) – Traders in online prediction markets are betting on Barack Obama and John McCain as the winners in their respective primaries today. The Intrade and Iowa Electronic futures markets let traders wager real money on outcomes political and otherwise; both markets give Obama's chances for winning the nomination as almost 80%, reports CNNMoney.

The markets are far from infallible; Intrade predicted that Obama would win both New Hampshire and California. And in the past few days, the direction of the markets has changed. "The overall trend in the nomination market has been one of very significant Obama strength, but in the last few days, there has been a tiny bounce back for Clinton," says Intrade's CEO.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses a rally Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio.  (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses a rally Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during a break between the televised Republican presidential debate and the Democratic presidential debate at Saint Anselm College Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during a break between the televised Republican presidential debate and the Democratic presidential debate at Saint Anselm...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during a break between the televised Republican presidential debate and the Democratic presidential debate at Saint Anselm College Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during a break between the televised Republican presidential debate and the...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks during a town hall meeting Monday March 3,, 2008, in Waco Texas. (AP Photo/Rod Aydelotte)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks during a town hall meeting Monday March 3,, 2008, in Waco Texas. (AP Photo/Rod Aydelotte)   (Associated Press)
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