The Post's miscall of Gep's selection as VP might be really poor reporting. But could it be something more? Tradesports and other online futures trading companies literally have millions in equity riding on the outcomes of political events. The horserace between Edwards and Gephart was one of the most heavily invested futures on the net.
Unitl the stir created by the Post's announcement, Gep was an also ran, the price of his futures stuck well below $15 of a possible $100 per share. Edwards was the favorite, seldom edging below $45 and often as high as $70.
The Post announcement, however, temporarily switched their possitions right up to the official news at about 12:30 today.
Edwards 7/6/04:
Gephart 7/6/04:
It is easy to see that someone who had taken a major position in Gephart futures when they were cheap a few days back, could make a major killing as a result of the Post's spurious 'Exclusive'.
I'm not saying there is fire, just that this smoke smells like money :)