It's official: With President Barack Obama's acceptance speech in Charlotte Thursday night, both the Republicans and Democrats have formally chosen their nominees for the 2012 presidential election. Let the real race begin.
A lot can change between now and Nov. 6: Gaffes, scandals or even major international news events could shift the dynamics of the campaign.
The latest Gallup Polls show registered voters preferring Obama to Mitt Romney by just one percentage point, 47 percent to 46 percent. A USA Today/Gallup poll taken just before the party conventions found American voters think Obama is more likeable, but trust Romney more to handle the economy.
Feel like putting some real money on the election? Before Obama's big speech Thursday night, Ladbrokes reckoned the odds of an Obama victory at 4-11 and a Romney win at 2-1. The odds of a tie in the Electoral College are 100-1, according to the venerable betting house. Those, by the way, are the same chances that the London bookmakers are giving a Ron Paul presidential victory in 2016.
Patch wants to know: Regardless of who you support for President, who do you think will actually claim victory in November?
Vote in our poll below, and let us know your reasoning in the comments.
