UPDATE: US Mid Term Elections: The battle for the House [SMARTCROWD INDEX* GOP HOUSE 52.39]

Introduction

The markets covering the midterm elections have shown some minor changes since our last entry.  The SMARTCROWD Index for GOP Control of the House of Representatives currently stands at 52.39, down on the previous week.  The corresponding index for the Democrats stands at 47.61. The chart right shows the markets "in aggregate" are now signalling only a very small advantage for the GOP, with the Democrats capitalizing on GOP issues this week. This is an exceptionally close race and far too difficult to call at this point in time.  The campaigning will get very focused now we've moved into the last 5 weeks.  Here's how the UK Observer newspaper called it overnight.  Expect the markets to be a little more volatile as the campaigning gets tough.

The individual markets were as follows at the time of this entry:

Market	Last
Betfair	52.63
Tradesports	52.00
Newsfutures	36.00
WSX	51.25

Market Data  

Market Share breakdown

      

News

This contest remains too close to call right now.  Expect further price swings (and some significant swings) as we approach November 7th,  Expect Democrats to start firing on all cylinders as we move into next week.  Expect more debate about energy costs and their fluctuations in the run up to the elections.  What impact will young voters have?  Well it could have a big impact this year, according to an article in the Washington Post.

Latest news here <Google Search GOP> <Google Search DEM>. Facts & figures <theGreenPapers> and Yahoo.  Views from

the <CenterforPolitics> and from the blogs <Google Blog Search>, and again <Google Blog Search 'buzz'>.

   

For the original entry on the Mid Term Elections <click here>. 

Watch this space!

From the crew at SMARTCROWD.

Time of entry 11:45PM Eastern Time 9/30/06