It is great when the Anonymous Hawk is wrong. I may keep gratuitously bringing this up until election day in November...and even if Obama loses the election, the AH will still be flat wrong:

From AH's comment on my February 27, 2007 post, "Obamamania"--

"Anonymous Hawk
9:03 am, Feb 27, 2007 PST

Jay-
Be careful your toes don't get run over jumping on and off all these bandwagons. My guess is that you had a pet rock, a slinky, and a mood ring during your youth! Obamamania (at least this election cycle) is headed towards that same obscurity...."

I replied:

"It's a good thing that we have the "08 Nomination" picks game going on this site...because when Obama wins the dem nomination, I am going to toss that "same obscurity" quote back into your dish."

**

Speaking of the "08 Nomination" picks game, the results are basically in. However, the numbers that we are using are based on the inTrade political contracts, which are still trading and won't be final until the nominations actually happen at the convention. And as Hillary ominously reminded us, "anything can happen." So the prizes will be awarded after the convention.

Before I get to today's standings (below), stand by for another political picks contest; this one will be much simpler.

Prize: A nice bottle of wine or scotch from me, at my discretion.

Entry Fee: $0

Constraints: No whining

Pick: The winner of the presidential election and the number of electoral votes the winner gets. Example: "Obama and 303 electoral votes" or "McCain and 294 electoral votes." Or for the very cynical, who think that Obama needs a food taster from now until November, "Hillary and 283 electoral votes."

Deadline: June 12

Modifications/Rule Changes: At my discretion.

Disqualification: Anyone who suggests a rule change will be disqualified.

Picks: To avoid people playing off others' picks, send me your pick by e-mail. I will compile a chart and send it to all participants after the deadline.

Contest Winner: Person who picks the winner and is closest (over or under), on electoral votes.

Booby Prize: TBA

***

Based on today's contract prices, here are the current standings for the old contest:

1. Holly: 160.7
2. Jay: 53.1
3. Kelly: -59.6
4. SF: -64.9
5. A. Hawk: -85.6
6. IH: -181.4

Holly is expected to win the big prize for her prescient picks: Well over a year ago, she went long on Obama and McCain and shorted Hillary and Edwards. IH, unfortunately, went long on Giuliani and Clinton and shorted McCain and Obama...he gets the Two Buck Chuck Booby Prize. I at least went long on Obama and shorted Clinton, but I also went long Romney and shorted McCain...and didn't cover my short when McCain was down in the single digits. Dumb Jay.