Above, please find the most recent chart showing the current pledges for the Veepstakes fundraiser.
Here’s a quick recap of the rules. You can put in a bid for any of the available groups, which have ten possible combinations. When one nominee definitively announces a running mate pick, pledges are locked. If you have the highest pledge on that group, you’re now committed to pay that money into the pot. When the other nominee definitively announces that running mate, then we see if there’s a winner. Whoever is holding the group who has the exact match wins half the pot. The rest of the money goes to defray site maintenance expenses.
Everyone on both lists looked plausible enough about a month ago, just after the Indiana primaries. Now? Well, New York Magazine and the Wall Street Journal claim to have been leaked the “short list” from the Clinton campaign. I’m not sure how plausible I think a lot of those names are — but four of the nine names on this leaked list are in play for us.
Now, some time has passed, people have made commitments, so I don’t think it’d be fair to change things anymore. You pays your money, you takes your chances. It is a fundraiser, after all.
But, especially if you’re energized by or interested in this recent leak, now may be a good time to step up your game and bid up a group. For instance, If you really think it’s going to be Clinton-Kaine versus Trump-Huckabee, you need to bid a higher pledge than the current group “I” pledge.So step right up, support the site, and prove your prognostication prowess!
https://twitter.com/RussellSaunder1/status/744952999995445248
That’s a $100.00 pledge from Dr. Russell Saunders, thank you very much for the generous pledge and may the odds be in your favor!
(Now, that bumps me out of contention, so I’m going to think for a few minutes about where I want to put my money next…)Report
Hmmn… so Team Green is riding the Kaine/Gingrich train to victory?Report
Kaine/Gingrich strikes me as one of two decidedly non-risible combinations in that group.
Well, “non-risible” within the context of this campaign, I mean.Report
Possibly… but both Trump/Gingrich and Clinton/Kaine seem ripe for some wild Wildean aphorisms that I’m not clever enough to conceive.Report
I’ll take J for $40 Alex, I mean Burt…Report
Awesome, and thank you for your pledge!Report
Is there a way to just donate? I could make a small donation, but don’t want to play the veepstakes.Report
Of course. @north and @slade-the-leveller were both like you and willing to pledge support but for whatever reason didn’t want to play. I’m excluding that from the betting pool but of course donations are welcome to help keep the lights on around here. When we get a VP pick, the pledges will come due then, and I’ll post information about where and how to fulfill the pledges. And thank you.Report
Thanks, Burt.Report
Hmm. With that shortlist, I’m thinking Michelle was pretty smart to outbid me for group H. I’ve still got a few live ones in group A, though.Report
Could you post a zoomable link to the board? It’s too blurry to read on my phone.Report
Here, @fortytwo , try this link. 799 pixels x 481 pixels. If you still have trouble, let me know.Report
I got $50 on block J and $50 on block E.Report
Excellent! Thank you for your pledge!Report
$40 on group D. I’d pay that just to see the Tancredo/Hickenlooper all-Colorado VP debate.Report
Got it, and thank you for your pledge.
Also, I’m putting myself down for $40 on group I. Because I think there are two combinations on there which represent strong chances of actually winning.Report
Also, a quick note: as of this morning, @roland-dodds, @jaybird, @plinko, and @aaron-david have all been outbid from the charts.
So. What are you all going to do about it?Report
Well, in that case, I will go $50 on C! Boosh! (and or ka-kow.)Report
Done, and thank you!
@elizabeth-picciuto, you’ve just been outbid!
Full-size version for your mobile viewing pleasure.Report
Gah, stop paying attention for a few days and look what happens!
I hope Jaybird will allow me to cut in and dance with the newest apple of my eye for a bid of a mere $40. (Group F)Report
So noted, and thank you for your pledge! @jaybird, you’re off the board — do you want back on?
Updated full-sized chart viewable at this link.Report
Okay, I’m back.
Put me back on F for $50.Report
Done, chart updated, and thank you for your pledge! @plinko , you’re up!Report
Jay has saved me from my inability to distinguish Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, so I’ll shift my $40 pledge to B.Report
$45 on H, please!Report
Got it. Thank you. Loving the game-playing going on recently. Whatever are you all thinking? I hope no one is cleverer than me!
@michelle-togut, you’ve been outbid!Report
I’ll put $50 on H.Report
New pledges from @michelle and @plinko logged in, and chart is updated.
Which pushes @marchmaine out of the sweet spot in group B (with its highly plausible Christie-Warner combo), and dislodges @elizabeth-picciuto from group H (with Christie-Kaine).
I was wondering how long @marchmaine would be able to skate through on the opening pledge with such a good combination!Report
Now I’m not saying that it’ll either be Gingrich or Christie on the Republican side.
But I think the Washington Post is saying pretty much that it’ll be either Gingrich or Christie.
So your time to jump into, or back onto, the board here may be drawing near.Report
Hey, who’s not in it right now and looking for a place to bid? Because with Kaine/Gingritch, B is still a steal. I’d snap that up If I weren’t already in for $35 on another group.Report
Attention! Trump shortlist leaked! (Well, maybe.)
Christie and Gingrich still in contention. Announcement expected on Friday. Reminder: once the announcement is made, pledges are locked in.Report
Surprised that anyone expects Trump not to pick John Miller.Report
Looks like none of the above is the winner!Report
I’m seeing lots of rumors about Mike Pence, too. We’ll see tomorrow if they’re correct!Report
Or not.
#TenonsAvecDeNice
Also:
https://twitter.com/SaraMurray/status/753734952664039425Report