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Anyone betting on the next US President?

nope..but I hope Obama gets it (doubt it though). Hilary would soo bad it's not even funny.

What makes you doubt Obama would get the gig boldie?  I'm not all up to date with US politics but as far as i see from the articles i've read it's a very close race this time?!  Correct me if wrong?

Obama beating Hillary last night in Iowa was a huge result, and Hillary really has to win in New Hampshire on Tuesday to stop Obama picking up an unstoppable head of steam. There does seem to be a feeling within the Democrats that, after the mess they made of 2000 and 2004, they have to win this, and that means quickly unifying behind whichever candidate picks up momentum.

Last night Obama beat Hillary not only overall, but amongst women voters, which was the demographic Hillary was supposed to dominate. There is a real sense that Americans do want a big change in their politics, and that is something Hillary can't really offer, as she was effectively co-president for eight years.

The Republicans are in a bit of a mess as they are so divided. Huckabee won in Iowa but he really doesn't have much chance nationally as he's not seen as heavyweight enough. Giuliani and McCain didn't even bother campaigning in Iowa because of their long-standing negative attitude towards biofuel subsidies for farmers (Iowa is a big farming state) so the Republican vote tells us less about what will happen later in the campaign. There are big divisions within the Republicans (McCain, Giuliani and Huckabee all have substantial 'anyone but him' factions within the party) so those candidates may well end up cutting each other's throats at a time when the Democrats are all behind one candidate.

I only wish I'd put a bet on when I got a tip for Obama to be next president back in May 2005 when he was 50/1 :(

It is a very close race indeed and that's what might be the problem. I hope he gets it but it might be one step too far for some American voters when it comes to actually voting for the next president to vote a black man in office who doesn't have an American sounding name. The negative campaigning the other (republicans) interest groups will do might cause him some problem on that front.

I really don't know about each candidates chances, but Obama would be a good president as far as World Politics go, so I hope he wins.

why would he be good for World Politics?

He's the candidate that the world would view as best being able to heal the rift between the US and everyone else.

I did read a comment elsewhere that more and more Americans are getting fed up at being viewed as the shit on the world's shoe, and want to be liked again, and voting for a black guy is the easiest way to say 'hey, we're good guys now'.

A friend of mine (democrat) said a while back, 'It would be really good if Huckabee got the republican nomination because he's just so outrageous that even the Bible Belt won't vote him in - they would be forced to vote Democratic.' 

There is NO WAY the Bible belt or the Klan crowd are going to toss their vote to Obama.  As sad as that is, it's fact.  While Hillary has in effect 'had her chance' as Bill's side kick, she's really the only option the Democrats had if they wanted to win.

Bloomberg is still threatening to join the race as an Independent.  If he does, I reckon he'll win it.

I was thinking the same thing, the main reason I want Clinton to win so she has a chance to be actually elected.

Hillary will never get the vote of the bible belt after what Bill did, add to that that she'll be crap I say give Obama a break. (Republicans should vote for McCain whom I would consider to be the republican to do the best job in the White House)

Not quite right, that.  The Bible belt don't blame her for Bill's extra curricular activities.  In fact, she did well to play the victim without totally trashing the President.  She did what a proper bible loving woman would do...and stood by her man. 

Personally, I woulda strangled the fecker, but then, I'm not running for President.   rotflmfao

People do know it's her fault Bill went astray right? I'm with Chris Rock on this one..it's was Hilary's fault!

I think she will. But we will see :)

Big shock last night as Hillary takes New Hampshire, despite every single poll having Obama in the lead by an average of over 8%. US pollsters with big egg on their face this morning.

Hillary was matched at 250/1 to win NH on Betfair - not a bad pick for what was effectively a two horse race. Though whoever laid that must be a bit sick today.

so who would your money be on in each race then Peter Snow Andrew?

Given Bush's problems and the profile of the leading Democratic candidates, surely the Democrats are odds-on to win the White House at the end of it?

Did anyone see Hillary blubbing in the Diner the day before the vote?

Absolutely hilariously transparent

It was really weird though, she has never shown any emotion before in all the years shes been in the public eye.

Democrats are still favourites, but the Republicans would prefer it if Hillary got the nomination, as they know she's beatable (there is a big anti-Hillary feeling among wavering Republican voters, so she would help to get the core Republican voters to the polling stations). Obama is more likely to attract independent voters. There's even the chance that, if no Democrat leader emerges, Michael Bloomberg will make a late run for the nomination.

Whilst last night was good for McCain, no one will really notice the Republican result last night because of the magnitude of the Democrat shock, so that could still be anyone's. It would actually suit the Republicans to not choose their candidate until after they know who they'll be facing, as Hillary and Obama would require different counter tactics.

Meanwhile, the Independent almost had their own 'Dewey Wins' moment today - http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00262/p1_4th_262467a.jpg (http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00262/p1_4th_262467a.jpg)

Maybe, but it won her the primary. For the polls to have been so wrong means that voters who only made up their mind at the last moment must have swung hugely towards her, and the tears was the only real new factor in the last day before the vote.

Well, it wasn't Bill.

 rotflmfao rotflmfao ;first;  ;applause;