Oprah Winfrey is a big mover on Betfair’s 2020 election markets and now rated Donald Trump’s closest competition. Paul Krishnamurty considers her chance and seems at another five celebrities bringing speculation…
It was inevitable after Donald Trump had changed the game – gambling a US Presidential Election could not ever be the exact same again. The fields are no more merely Republican and Democrat politicians but a wide variety of personalities from popular culture and business.
At this early stage at least, celebrities are the candidates which bettors appear most interested in backing. With a single barnstorming Golden Globes address, Oprah Winfrey is rated Trump’s closest rival for 2020.
Oprah Winfrey, Latest Odds: 13
The response to Oprah’s speech demonstrates precisely why actors increasingly have the edge. She’s gained more conversation in three days than anyone else one of the crowded Democratic Nominee area have handled in a year. Trump won the first by monopolising media coverage and Oprah would probably have the exact same effect.
Their exceptionally positive response indicates notable Democrat voices are taking this seriously. This is a celebration still traumatised by defeat and naturally for an incredibly divisive primary involving a huge field – precisely what plunged their competitions into turmoil. They’ve no leader or perhaps front-runner. Oprah are the panacea. A unifying figure that joins with portions of the electorate nobody else could reach and, while also a billionaire celebrity, the antithesis of Trump.
It is a safe bet that large Democrat donors and strategists have been pulling out plans since her Golden Globes speech. There will be many voices seeking to convince her and betting interest will last until she categorically declares no intention to operate. I can’t see her Next President odds getting much larger than the current 13.00 in the short-term given the inevitable speculation. Oprah v Trump is beyond the wildest fantasies of media executives.
A less safe bet is that she really runs. While Winfrey is obviously flattered by the attention and bound to consider it, she’s said never. Running for president is a gruelling experience, demanding total commitment. The primaries are a marathon. Politics necessarily entails taking sides and alienating people. Every word you’ve ever uttered in people is going to be pored over. Would somebody of her elevated standing want to risk the brand constructed over a lifetime?
Mark Zuckerberg Odds: 36
The Facebook founder’s political aspirations have been a topic of speculation as to why not? When you have achieved what Zuckerberg has at 33, future ambitions are certain to be set very large. He’s obviously got plenty to offer in public life and also is going to be a prominent figure for decades. Whether he’s ready for a political career, let alone win the presidency, in this young age is another matter. Plus Facebook’s role in the weaponisation of bogus news in recent elections is a temporary setback.
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