Posted on: July 12, 2024, 08:46h.
Last updated on: July 12, 2024, 08:46h.
President Joe Biden on Thursday night addressed the nation and world for the first time since his dismal June 27 debate performance that left many of his supporters wondering if the commander-in-chief is mentally equipped to serve another four years.
While the president was in more command of his words and better articulated his thoughts, gaffes remained, most notably when he referred to former President Donald Trump as his vice president.
Political pundits said afterward that Biden’s NATO Summit presser likely provided a bit of confidence for the president’s supporters who hope to reelect the 81-year-old in November, but the public engagement provided more fodder for the president’s opponents.
Bettors risking money on the Nov. 5 outcome didn’t react positively to Biden’s press conference. They instead further lessened their liability on the incumbent securing another four years in office.
Biden 2024 Odds Lengthen
Following Biden’s media meeting on Thursday, the president’s 2024 odds further lengthened. Biden’s shares on political wagering exchanges give him an implied chance of only 22% of defeating Trump.
UK oddsmakers where political betting is allowed — something not the case in any legal U.S. sports betting market — Biden’s 2024 odds have lengthened to +800. The president was at +550 before the NATO press conference.
Meanwhile, bettors are getting behind Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic Party’s eventual nominee. Political exchanges have Harris the front-runner to secure the party’s nomination with her shares at implied odds of 43%. Biden’s stock is at 42%.
Asked Thursday why he’s changed his position about being a “bridge candidate,” a promise he made during his 2020 campaign suggesting he’d serve only one term, Biden answered that the “gravity of the situation” he inherited prompted him into needing another four years to “finish this job.” Probed about whether he doesn’t feel confident in Harris becoming the party’s leader, Biden confused his right-hand lady with his political foe.
Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I didn’t think she was qualified to be president,” he said.
As for outright 2024 odds, Trump is the favorite at -190. A winning $100 bet on that line would net $52 and change. Harris is at +350 and Biden is at +800.
The latest polling composite compiled by Real Clear Politics agrees that Trump is the November favorite. The Republican maintains a roughly three-point advantage over Biden.
Trump Running Mate
Trump continues to tease who will be his 2024 running mate. Bettors are getting behind Ohio’s junior Senator J.D. Vance.
Political exchanges give Vance an implied chance of 45% of being the former casino magnate’s 2024 running mate. Vance’s ascent to the betting front-runner status came quickly, as rumblings from the Trump campaign in recent days have suggested he’s on the former president’s shortlist.
Others reportedly in the running include North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (R-Hawaii), and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.