Politirazzi

Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin introduces herself to the nation last night. (AP)

By Bragg

I was nervous last night as I prepared to watch Sarah Palin’s speech at the Republican National Convention. For me, it had been a politically emotional rollercoaster of a few days. Initially I was thrilled with the choice of Palin by John McCain (as I indicated on Friday). Over the weekend, as I heard more of her and heard increasingly positive feedback from others, I was only further enthused. On Monday, however, when news broke about her daughter’s pregnancy, I began to worry that perhaps she had not been vetted thoroughly, or that perhaps McCain’s choice of Palin had been made in haste as several members of the media opined. Was this going to end up being a disaster?

As I learned more about her vetting and more about the situation with her daughter, I began to feel optimistic about Palin again. I was helped along in this process by the astonishingly shameful way Palin was treated by the majority of the media. I cannot recall anyone in public life who was attacked so immediately and so viciously in her public and private lives. Left-wing bloggers spread lies about her and her family — lies that were then shamefully passed off as legitimate “leads” by members of the mainstream media, allowing the falsities and innuendo to enter the national conversation. (Jeff, by the way, did an absolutely terrific job yesterday of rebutting many of the scurrilous untruths of the last week.)

When not chasing down unsubstantiated rumors about Palin, the national media — the same folks who have, for the most part, allowed questions about Obama’s qualifications for the presidency to go unasked — now were suddenly laser-focused on the issue of experience as it pertained to Palin’s qualifications for the vice presidency. Again, the press has seemed largely unconcerned with the readiness of the man at the top of the Democratic ticket for the presidency, but the issue conveniently becomes preeminent with regard to Palin — who, incidentally, has more executive experience than Obama, Biden and McCain combined.

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The McCain and Palin clans hit St. Paul, Minn., today. (AP)

By Jeff

There have been a ton of rumors about Sarah Palin that have surfaced since she was announced as the Republican VP nominee. It shouldn’t come as a surprise; nobody had really heard of her until it was announced, and so the rush for manufactured news began. What is a surprise, is that the press has been publishing rumors and wild speculation before they spent any time actually fact-checking. The rumor gets in the public discourse, and since it’s so sexy and salacious, people keep repeating it. People hear the headline enough and assume it’s true. Those who follow the election superficially don’t hear the retractions or corrections and you get a group that has the facts wrong (call it the “Obama is a Muslim” corollary).

Let’s run down some of the worst cases of the mass media failing to do basic fact-checking. These are all original posts from large, mainstream media sources who should know better than to publish hearsay and unverified rumors.

Palin didn’t give birth to her youngest song, Trig. She faked her pregnancy to protect her daughter Bristol.

Originally, started on Daily Kos (who now has scrubbed any mention of the thread a week later so they don’t appear Rove-ian), but then picked up by Google’s Current.tv. Then the story started to get mentioned on MSBC, the Huffington Post and other media outlets as “a rumor.” This is what creationists call “teaching the controversy.” Although there is absolutely no proof to support the opinion, there are enough people talking about that it deserves coverage. No, it was completely baseless, and even filled with lies and intentionally misdated photos. It is shameful that anyone in the real press mentioned it.

Palin wants creationism taught in schools.

Not true. This is offensive reporting on Wired magazine’s part. The source they link completely contradicts their headline. If you read the source, you’ll see a more full explanation of her position:

In an interview Thursday, Palin said she meant only to say that discussion of alternative views should be allowed to arise in Alaska classrooms:

"I don't think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn't have to be part of the curriculum."

She added that, if elected, she would not push the state Board of Education to add such creation-based alternatives to the state's required curriculum.

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By LaShawnda

I’m disgusted! I literally laughed hysterically to keep from crying in a rage while getting caught up on McCain’s campaign last night (after four days away from TV, papers and Internet).

I can imagine Hillary Clinton feels quite a bit more rage and affront than I do. After all, she was the first woman in history to almost beat a man in a national contest for a major party nomination. She laid out a path via the Senate and campaigned with her blood, sweat and tears. With her passion, anger and power lust. With her dreams and ambitions on her sleeves. Hillary Clinton’s determination is impressive. Her drive is indomitable. She put nearly 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling. I love that line.

I love her for all her work over the past few decades. Although I am staunchly an Obama supporter, he won me over only after Hillary Clinton started campaigning like a graceless old-school Washingtonian.

John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin for running mate is not only a slap in the face to Hillary Clinton’s efforts to re-enter the White House under her own steam, but it’s a slug in gut to every women who has worked hard for anything in male dominated arenas. No, you’re not good enough to get to the top on your own, but no experience, no effort and a nod from a man will get you there every time.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin greets supporters in O'Fallon, Mo., but how many such supporters will she bring to John McCain. Meg's dissection. (AP)

By Meg

John McCain, a man who once could do no wrong in the eyes of this blogger, continues to disappoint me.

With his out-of-nowhere pick of Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate, it’s clear that McCain has decided to rewrite his message to America. Instead of marketing McCain as the calm voice of experience, his campaign is bringing back the image of the maverick who will bring change to Washington. The soundness of reasoning behind and consequences of such a shift in tone are fodder for another discussion, but the Palin pick itself makes me seriously question McCain’s judgment.

I was already concerned by the rumors that McCain had crossed Pawlenty and Ridge off the short list and was heavily considering Joe Lieberman, but I was baffled when Team McCain, faced with the possibility of an RNC floor fight that would make “Braveheart” look like the Puppy Bowl, dumped Lieberman in favor of a candidate whose major experience consists of not-quite two years as the governor of a state whose entire population is less than that of many major U.S. cities. McCain and his supporters are painfully aware of the implications of his age. He knew how important it was for him, more so than his rival, to pick a candidate that is actually ready to be president. Is choosing Sarah Palin to be that candidate really John McCain’s idea of putting country first?

Here’s what we’ve learned about Sarah Palin since Friday:

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The announcement that VP pick Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant was made to address rumors that Palin had falsely claimed to have given birth to her fifth child. Whew.

Bristol's decision to keep the baby and married the father may be a demonstration of the party's strong family values. No?

By Bragg

Today John McCain has made a bold and excellent choice in selecting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

She is an extraordinary person, first and foremost. A star athlete, avid outdoorswoman, and a former beauty queen, to boot, Palin, 44, is also the mother of five children, the oldest of whom is headed to Iraq next month with the Army, and the youngest of whom was born with Down Syndrome.

As governor of Alaska, she has quickly earned a reputation as a tough, no-nonsense chief executive committed to reform, and one who is known in particular for her efforts in fighting corruption.

Her conservative bona fides — fiscal and social — are unassailable, which will thrill a Republican base still somewhat suspicious of John McCain. She adds youth and energy to the ticket which are needed, and despite her substantial political differences with Hillary Clinton, still has a chance to attract disenchanted Hillary supporters.

Democrats and the liberal media will question her experience. This, however, may not be an issue they focus on too much given that the man at the TOP of the Democratic ticket, Barack Obama, is really no more experienced than she.

(And by virtue of even having even one day of executive experience, she has more than Obama, Biden and McCain combined).

McCain needed a game-changer, and Obama's failure to make a bold choice for his vice presidential nominee (and his failure to choose Hillary or another female) left the door open for McCain's veep pick to be that game-changer.

The GOP is genuinely excited about McCain-Palin, and for many it marks perhaps the first sincere enthusiasm they've felt in many months.

This was the best choice McCain could have made.

* Click here to see photos of Sarah Palin and John McCain at their Dayton, Ohio rally

* Here are 21 photos of Sarah Palin's life and career

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin delivers her speech as Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduces her as his Vice Presidential running mate Friday, Aug. 29, 2008 at the Ervin J. Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

* Click here to see photos of Sarah Palin and John McCain at their Dayton, Ohio rally

* Here are 21 photos of Sarah Palin's life and career

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin greets the Target dog, Bullseye, at the start of the 36th annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage. (AP photo by Rob Stapleton / March 1, 2008)

From our highly respected sister blog, The Swamp, by Jill Zuckman:

A Republican source confirms that John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate. Campaign officials, however, remain mum this morning.

McCain is expected to announce his choice at a rally in Dayton later.

Palin is the first woman governor of Alaska, elected in 2006. She was also the youngest ever elected at the age of 42. She is the mother of five children, the youngest of whom was born in April and has Down's Syndrome. She ran on a clean government platform in '06 to defeat the incumbent Republican Governor Frank Murkowski.

McCain reportedly considered Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, among others.

Palin is a social conservative who is strongly opposed to abortion and same sex marriage. In addition, she is pro-gun and wildly popular in Alaska.

The kind of thing a maverick would do. ... or the kind of thing someone who's desperate would do. ...

UPDATE, 10:38 a.m.: AP has just moved this: "McCain source: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is his pick for VP."

There are few things that totally catch journalists and Washington insiders by surprise; this one has people reeling.

It's an unorthodox pick to say the least, if nothing else because the central attack of the McCain camp has been their claim that Sen. Barack Obama is "dangerously unprepared."

Especially given that McCain turns 72 today, this VP pick was going to undergo more scrutiny than usual no matter who he picked.

McCain's decision to run with the little-known Palin, though, is going to bring a level of attention to the VP pick we haven't seen in 20 years.

Since George H.W. Bush chose Dan Quayle.

* Click here to see photos of Sarah Palin

John McCain should pick Condoleezza Rice as his running mate, Lynne writes. But he won't, so good thing there's another strong choice in Cynthia McKinney.

By Lynne

The Democratic National Convention Committee understands the need to appeal to female voters, with keynote speeches by Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.

But McCain can take a giant whack at their efforts by selecting a female vice president. And if she happens to be African-American and a member of the Bush administration, he might just hit the trifecta.

Who could create that winning ticket?

Condoleezza Rice, of course.

Will it happen? Odds aren’t looking good.

Fortunately for those who want to vote for a woman this November, there is Green party candidate Cynthia McKinney.

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Joe Biden implores, "Put me in charge, and I'll burn through your money like I have mine!" Jeff muses. (AP)

By Jeff

Barack Obama went with the “safe” VP choice in Joe Biden, but I don’t think it will really impact John McCain’s choice for VP. Biden isn’t going to really help in any specific states which will change the Republican’s electoral planning, and all he does is mitigate the charges that Obama doesn’t have the experience to be president. Who McCain picks for VP is going to be decided by how confident he is in his base. If his camp really needs to pick someone like Romney or Huckabee just to secure his base, then it’s a really bad sign for McCain.

I know I initially predicted Romney was going to be the nominee, but the “7 houses” mess probably removed him from contention. This likelihood was compounded with Joe “99th richest out of 100 senators” Biden being slotted as the Democratic VP nominee.

It’s now highly unlikely that McCain will pick Romney and his $200 million fortune as VP nominee. It will make it a very clear “middle class” vs. “out-of-touch rich folk” campaign, and in this weakened economy, that’s a clear loser for the Republicans. Now yes, Obama is now rich, but that’s because he earned it very recently off two best-selling books — that’s the American Dream, first-generation wealth.

I want to focus on how the Democrats keep pointing to Biden’s ranking as the 99th richest senator like it’s a good thing because it shows he’s a “regular guy” with whom we can relate. In a debate this year, Biden set his net worth at between $70,000 and $150,000.

So, if I may ask, how the hell does someone work in the Senate for 35 years, and only amass less than one year’s worth of savings?

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Romney's riches may make him ill-suited to be McCain's VP. "Sam's Club Republican" Pawlenty is looking like a more realistic choice, Bragg writes.

By Bragg

I absolutely believe Obama's choice of Biden could influence McCain's ultimate VP choice. The harder question to answer, though, is exactly how it might influence his choice, and to what degree.

One could argue that picking the safe, relatively bland Biden presents an opportunity for McCain to do what Obama didn't: Turn conventional wisdom on its ear with a bold, unexpected and (hopefully) inspired choice.

Further, with Obama not taking Hillary Clinton or Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, McCain also has to consider the impact he could have by selecting a woman as his running mate. The problem, though, is that many of the individuals who fall into one or both of the aforementioned categories (e.g. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina) are less experienced than Biden and less tested on the national stage.

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By LaShawnda

With Sen. Obama’s announcement this past weekend of Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential pick, the political airwaves have ramped up with increased speculation and predictions.

Sen. Biden is the sixth most-senior senator in the Senate, currently serving his sixth term. Sen. Biden has served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and as past and current chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. For months Sen. Obama has been attacked for his inexperience. His inexperience in the Senate has been judged as his inability to lead.

I’m not sold on Biden. I wasn’t inspired while listening to his introductory speech in Springfield on Aug. 23. He spoke in good sound bites, “President Lincoln once instructed us to be sure to put your feet in the right place and then stand firm.” Quoting Lincoln in Springfield — good sound bite. But resonating a sincere belief in the words you speak — not something you can fake. Sen. Biden went on the illustrate how he and Sen. Obama come from different places but share a common American story. Again, good sound bite. However, I am not sold that Biden believes he shares a common story with Obama.

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(AP)

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden
Age: 65
Hometown: Scranton, Pa.
Fact: Brings a wealth of international experience as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee
Also: Ran for president in 1988, until it was revealed he plagiarized a speech by Briton Neil Kinnock. This election, he called Obama “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”

Jill Biden
Age: 57
Hometown: Willow Creek, Pa.
Fact: College English professor who heads the Biden Breast Health Initiative
Also: Married Biden in 1977, five years after his first wife was killed in a car crash

— Emily

U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden has been chosen to be Sen. Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images for Meet the Press

-Click here to see photos of Sen. Biden through the years

A Democratic official tells the Associated Press that long-time Delaware Senator Joe Biden will be Sen. Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate, to be formally announced Saturday.

The AP story reads: "The official who spoke did so on condition of anonymity, preferring not to pre-empt a text-message announcement the Obama campaign promised for Saturday morning."

Didn't want to pre-empt the text message? Uh, kindof late for that....

The decision is being read as a nod to experience to balance Obama's youthfulness, as well as a sign that Obama is taking seriously his stated desire to have a partner who will stand up to him when necessary and argue the other side (Biden is anything but shy).

Unanswered are how Biden's at-times biting criticism earlier in the primary of Obama's inexperience will influence the electorate when played ad nauseum in sure-to-come McCain ads.

And whether Biden's at-times off-the-cuff speaking style will provide any fodder for the GOP.

We're not just talking about his famous, boneheaded plagiarism scandal that derailed his first run for the presidency in 1988.

Remember, Biden's the one who last February said of Obama, "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy".

Biden later tried to explain away that remark by saying he got it from his mom, who he said "has an expression: clean as a whistle, sharp as a tack".

In related news, somebody at the Washington Post must've been asleep at the switch. They put the news up about Obama picking Biden at 1:30 a.m. EST, 30 minutes after everyone else that matters (CNN, MSNBC, New York Times, etc.) had it.

As for ABC News, which had a nice scoop earlier tonight about the Secret Service being sent to Biden's home in Delaware, their homepage still hasn't been updated as of 1:37 a.m.; it still has 'speculation' for what's already been confirmed....

Oh, and as for Barack Obama's website--somebody better tell them to take that splash sign-up screen down, as of 2:18 a.m. EST it's still promising that you'll be first to know.

-Click here to see photos of Sen. Biden through the years

Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, smiles during an interview in
West, Texas in this Sept. 2, 2006 AP file photo by Matt Slocum

The Associated Press is reporting and the Drudge Report is trumpeting, that with Sen. Barack Obama "hours away" from making public his vice presidential pick, little-known Texas congressman Chet Edwards has emerged as a surprise finalist.

Wow.

Obama's VP may still be one of the 'predicted' candidates, like Sen. Joe Biden or Sen. Jack Reed or Governor Tim Kaine--but it's pretty shocking that in this day and age someone could make it all the way to the final round without it getting mentioned before now.

No matter your politics, something like that speaks to the efficiency and discipline of the Obama campaign staff.

So who is Chet Edwards?

Edwards has represented the area around Waco, Texas since 1991--a district that includes the Crawford ranch of President Bush.

He holds an MBA from Harvard and sits on the powerful House Budget and Appropriations committee, chairing Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction.

The political junkie website Politico summed him up as a "centrist Democrat whose background in military and veteran affairs could help balance out Obama's lack of foreign policy experience."

Edwards has been relatively quiet this summer, but emerged over the weekend for a blistering attack on John McCain's record on veterans.

If Obama picks him, it may be to serve this 'attack dog' function in what's widely been perceived as a velvet gloves campaign to this point.

He's not a total moonshot candidate--House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been touting him as a great choice, saying on the talk show circuit, "I just wanted people to be aware of the extraordinary credentials of Chet Edwards."

Apparently Obama's been listening.

Politirazzi makes its predictions (more to come), and we want to hear yours:

Emily
McCain: Tim Pawlenty
Obama: Kathleen Sebelius

David
McCain: Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Obama: Jack Reed

Jeff
McCain: Mitt Romney
Obama: Joe Biden

Amara
McCain: Mitt Romney
Obama: Evan Bayh

Meg
McCain: Tom Ridge
Obama: Joe Biden

Dontre
McCain: Bobby Jindal
Obama: Joe Biden

Dan
McCain: Mitt Romney
Obama: Chris Dodd

LaShawnda
McCain: Mitt Romney
Obama: Claire McCaskill

Lynne
McCain: Condoleezza Rice
Obama: Joe Biden

Bragg
McCain: Tim Pawlenty
Obama: Hillary Clinton

Jamshid
McCain: Mitt Romney
Obama: Jack Reed

An Obama-Clinton ticket to stun the nation? GOP blogger Bragg believes Obama has this surprise stored up his sleeve.

By Bragg

Barack Obama has unquestionably had a tough few weeks. His overseas tour seemed to do more harm than good, as a trip designed to shore up his commander-in-chief bona fides ended up coming across as presumptuous and hubristic. McCain’s clever “Celeb” ad featuring Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, while called “juvenile” by Obama and his media cohorts, actually was quite effective — if for nothing else than because it gave McCain some attention in an otherwise Obama-dominated media narrative.

In recent weeks, stories have surfaced of “nervousness” or even “buyer’s remorse” in the Democratic party, as party activists wonder why Obama can’t seem to open up a solid lead against McCain in an otherwise slam-dunk Democratic election year. Last week Obama made the curious decision not only to give both Hillary and Bill Clinton primetime speaking slots at next week’s Democratic National Convention, but also to allow Hillary’s name to officially be placed in nomination.

While the joint statement released by the erstwhile rivals claimed this was a unifying step, one could argue that it may have the opposite effect and detract from what should be an all-Obama-all-the-time convention. (If you have any doubts, ask the so-called P.U.M.A. — “Party Unity My Ass” — group of Hillary supporters who obviously still harbor pie-in-the-sky hopes of somehow engineering a convention coup to nominate Hillary instead.)

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Who will be the No. 2 sharing Obama's ballot? How about the running mate to supplement McCain's ticket? I greatly dislike the suspense. So tell us already. Any minute now. Any minute now. To hold you over, here are some staff analyses to mull over:

* Who will Barack Obama choose as VP? By David Freedlander

* Obama, McCain open search for running mates. By Emily Ngo

* On the next episode of ... The VEEP. By Kim Reynolds (scroll down)

(AP)

By Lynne

On Monday, John McCain described "the situation on the Iraq/Pakistan border" while doing an interview with ABC, somehow forgetting that Iraq and Pakistan don’t share a border.

Pakistan shares a border with Afghanistan.

This wasn’t his first screw-up. According to Politico:

“Just in the past three weeks, McCain has also mistaken 'Somalia' for 'Sudan,' and even football’s Green Bay Packers for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

My parents are both older than McCain and their minds are as sharp as ever, meanwhile there are (unfortunately) many people under age 65 with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. So all the ageist speculation and commentary is just a new ‘ism’ to add to the rampant sexism and racism that have marred this election cycle.

The truth: McCain is just bad at geography and — apparently — football.

Will it matter come Election Day? Maybe he should ask Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (rumor has it McCain will announce his VP pick this week and Jindal seems to be on the short list).

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(Getty)

By Emily

Virgina Sen. Jim Webb, the bright-eyed junior politician who would have brought military experience to Barack Obama's ballot, won't get the chance to woo moderates this fall. Webb has taken himself out of the running for the vice presidency.

Said the Vietnam War veteran in a statement:

"At this time I am also renewing my commitment to work hard to make sure that Senator Obama wins both Virginia and the presidency this November. He is a man who speaks eloquently about our national goals and calls for the practical solutions that must be put into place to obtain them. I will proudly campaign for him."

Very sweet. Very kind. Democratic unity. Then:

"Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President."

Sebelius. Bayh. What do you say?

By Emily

Just in the case that CO-ED Magazine somehow, someway is scooping the rest of political news society, here's a report that John McCain IS definitively picking former rival Mitt Romney to share his presidential ballot.

The Arizona senator wants Romney as vice president, primarily for his cash stash, reports CO-ED, who swears a source from the McCain camp divulged the information to them.

Props, if this turns out to be the truth.

(AP)

By Jeff

At the adult table (as always) is the Republican Illuminati of James Baker, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, a picture of baby Jesus and George W. Bush in his rocketship seat. At the kids table is all the people who may potentially be vice presidential candidates: Bobby Jindal, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Charlie Crist and Tim Pawlenty.

Poppa Bush says, “Alright men, while McCain’s back at the grill we need to determine — Dick, quit eating that puppy carcass for a second, this is important — by the end of this day, we’re going to decide who is assigned as vice presidential nominee. Rove, go.”

“Well, it really needs to be someone young and energizing to fight the Obamania factor, and someone with a strong conservative record to placate the core Gays/Guns/God crowd that doesn’t think McCain is conservative enough” as Karl looks over while Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee arm wrestle to see who gets to say grace. “It would also be ideal to get someone who could help us carry some swing states.”

Baker butts in, “I think we should start excluding some guys. We’ll get Florida even if Crist isn’t on the ticket — I made sure of that last time — plus he’s got white hair, and we’ve already got one of them. Huckabee is a nice guy, and I’m really impressed with his weight loss, but is it just me, or does he come off as a bit crazy? When he tries to be funny, it just kind of creeps me out. Liability.”

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By Kim

Tensions rise at the Asylum as vice presidential hopefuls Gov. Bobby Jindal, Gov. Charlie Crist and Mitt Romney fight to look the least Democratic while eating calamari. “Your sweatshirt is a nice shade of green, senator,” remarks Romney, “Brooks Brothers?” McCain lets out a sigh at Mitt’s unabashed pandering that makes even him cringe.

“So, Bobby,” McCain turns to his left, “I can’t believe they had steak on the kids' menu!” Jindal rolls his eyes and turns up his iPod. Forty years of a generation gap will not be filled so easily.

McCain looks awkwardly around and meets the gaze of Crist. He holds out his plate and asks, “Charlie, can you serve me Florida?”

By Jeff

The Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and V.P. Hillary Clinton will win the presidential nomination by defeating Republican challengers John McCain and V.P. Tim Pawlenty by capturing 293 electoral votes to 245. Specific enough for you?

Every pundit and polling company is predicting the coming election, but would they really bet on it? Would Rasmussen and Zogby et al care to make a wager that their polls paint an accurate picture of the current electorate? Probably not.

Enter: Intrade. Intrade (based in Ireland) is a predictive market that lets users tap into the “Wisdom of Crowds," which essentially says that while individual perceptions and opinions of the future diverge, if you average those projections, the prediction is typically very accurate. This is one of the main premises behind the efficient market hypothesis. Intrade lets users trade on the outcome of a litany of events like levels of CO2, gas prices, if Eliot Spitzer will be indicted, tax rates in 2011 and the number of Google searches in 2008. However, they are most noted for markets involving political events.

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