The California Democratic Debate at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood was a one on one love fest for the most part with Illinois Senator Barack Obama going head to head against New York Senator Hillary Clinton as the two remaining Democratic Presidential Candidates.  The field was narrowed down from eight to two once Senator John Edwards bowed out of the race earlier this week.  

With Edwards out of the race, the Democratic Party will make history when they select either a woman or African American as their Presidential Candidate.  Edwards has yet to give his highly sought after endorsement.

Sportsbook.com has the New York Senator Hillary Clinton as the 5 to 4 odds favorite to win the 2008 Presidential Election.  It seems the infighting and fireworks from the South Carolina Debate was behind both camps as Hillary and Barack were very respectful of each other throughout the night.  The basis of their differences comes down to Hillary pitching her "experience" and Obama selling "change" in Washington.

"I am not only ready on day one," stated Barack Obama in the California Democratic Debate. "I am right on day one."

A clear jab by the Illinois Senator at Clintons vote to back the war.  Barack Obama voted against the authorization for war after 9-11.  Barack Obama raised a little more than 32 million in January.  Sportsbook.com has Barack Obama at 3 to 2 odds to be named the 2008 Democratic Presidential Nominee.

Massachusetts Senator and influential Democrat Ted Kennedy, brother of President John F Kennedy thinks Obama will be “ready on day one”.  Teddy and his niece Caroline Kennedy, JFK’s daughter, are both endorsing Barack for President and actively campaigning on his behalf.  The Kennedy establishment will help Obama get the Latino community and Labor establishment behind him which will put pressure on the Clinton Campaign in several state primaries in route to the party nomination.

Obama has not been using his new wealth to buying more TV ads in California.  The campaign strategists feel there are diminishing returns by advertising in California at this stage of the game.  Obama will be putting the new funds to use in the post February 5th primaries.  Barack needs to get at the very least 40% of the overall available states on Super Tuesday.  

"It did take a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush," stated Hillary Clinton at the California Democratic Debate.  "And it might take a second Clinton to clean up after this Bush."

After watching both party's California debates, it is pretty clear that the Democratic Party should easily win the 2008 Presidential Race against the lackluster Republicans.  The underwhelming McCain will end up with the Republican party nod and is listed as the favorite already with 1 to 6 odds at Sportsbook.com.  The Republican Party has lost its way.

Will a lost election in 2008 help the Republican establishment accept Ron Paul’s message of fiscal conservatism?  Ron Paul should break off to run as a third party candidate if he does not get the Republican Party's 2008 Presidential Nomination. Paul will get a significant portion of the Republican's unsatisfied with the war to defect in the 2008 Presidential Election.

If “change” is the message sweeping the nation, Ron Paul could get portions of voters from the Guiliani, Huckabee and Romney campaign as an independent.  The only question is can the Texas Congressman get votes away from the Democratic Party?

The campaign is about to get interesting because McCain needs the Ron Paul crowd to beat Obama or Clinton or both in the 2008 Presidential Election.  Barack and Hillary will benefit the most from an independent Ron Paul Presidential run. 

Sportsbook.com has posted political betting odds to win the Republican Party's 2008 Presidential Nomination:

Barack Obama: 3 to 2

Hillary Clinton: 4 to 9

Sportsbook.com has posted political betting odds to win the Republican Party's 2008 Presidential Nomination:

John McCain: 1 to 6

Mike Huckabee: 25 to 1
    
Mitt Romney: 3 to 1

Ron Paul: 50 to 1

Sportsbook.com has posted political betting odds to win the 2008 Presidential Election:

Al Gore: 5 to 1

Barack Obama: 5 to 2

Hillary Clinton: 5 to 4
    
John McCain: 2 to 1

Michael Bloomberg: 5 to 1

Mike Gravel: 500 to 1

Mike Huckabee: 60 to 1

Mitt Romney: 10 - 1

Ron Paul: 100 - 1

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