How much is Sarah Palin worth to the Presidential Election?
Since being announced as the Vice Presidential candidate for John McCain one week ago, Sarah Palin has left an indelible impression on the market and the presidential election. On the morning of the August 29, just before McCain announced his VP, his chances of becoming the next president were sitting at 33%, with Obama clearly the favourite at 62%. By the end of the day of the announcement of Palin’s appointment, the heat was on this market with McCain’s numbers rising to 35% but matched by Obama’s rise to 64%.
When rumors that the Palins’ fifth child, Trig, was potentially Palin’s grandchild and the subsequent explosive revelation that 17 year old Bristol Palin was expecting, McCain’s forecast dropped to a market low of 17%.
However, since then, the market has proved that we all love a scandal and a woman who can give a good speech. After Palin’s RNC address on September 3, McCain’s forecast was boosted back to 44%.
Currently, the market forecasts McCain as having a 48% chance of becoming the next president, Obama 58%. Palin has reduced the gap between the two frontrunners to one of the tightest margins since the beginning of the campaign - so far, she appears to be a winning pick by McCain.
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Tags: 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama, bristol palin, John McCain, RNC, sarah palin
