Obama Stefan Abrams Managing Partner, Bryden-Abrams Investment Management Obama will win because except in wartime people always vote their pocketbooks, and at this point in time, the average American is feeling put-upon financially. Ergo, they will vote against the party in power.
	McCain Joe Battipaglia Market Strategist, Stifel Nicolaus
	Obama Jared Bernstein Senior Economist, Economic Policy Institute McCain won’t be able to overcome the current economy (yes, GDP was 3.3% in Q2, but the misery index is in double digits, and that matters much more to voters), the lack of middle class gains over the Bush years, and the fact that his economics doubles down on Bushonomics. McCain’s bold and surprising VP pick will help him with the hard right, but is unlikely to help him with the moderates who may well decide this election.
	McCain Jerry Bowyer Chief Economist, Benchmark Financial Network John vs. Barack; Palin vs. Biden; hero vs. activist; entrepreneurs vs. insiders; makers vs. takers; drill vs. windmill; surge vs. retreat; Purple Heart vs. Grammy; small business vs. too-big-too-fail; tough on Putin vs. moral equivalence; Heartland vs. Hollywood; Billy Graham vs. Jeremiah Wright; Reagan vs. Carter; progress vs. change.
	McCain Vince Farrell Scotsman Capital Management McCain, but in a squeaker. Obama is a gifted and inspirational speaker. He should be way ahead in the polls. The fact he is not shows his campaign is in trouble and his message is not resonating. McCain's choice of Palin demonstrates his "independence" from traditional Washington politics.
	McCain Jim LaCamp Portfolio Manager, Portfolio Focus, RBC Wealth Management Co-Host, Opening Bell Radio Show, Biz Radio Network The easy answer would be Obama, since he is ahead in most polls and way ahead on InTrade, but Obama is proving daily that he is about style, lacks substance and it's hard to argue change when Joe Biden is your running mate. Palin is a smart and interesting choice and may draw some that felt Obama spurned Hillary. It's McCain, even though the easy answer would be Obama.
	McCain Art Laffer Fmr. Reagan Economic Advisor Chief Investment Officer, Laffer Investments John McCain. In my view, the race will come down to the finish line and be decided on economics pure and simple. And, as it looks to me right now, McCain has the decided edge on economics.
	Obama Steve Moore Sr. Economics Writer, The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board Obama in a close race. The Democratic turnout machine will pull Obama over the top.
	Obama James Pethokoukis Sr. Writer, U.S. News & World Report (Money & Business) Barack Obama has a 60 percent chance of being elected president. How do I know? The betting markets tell me so. But seriously, Obama internal polls, sources tell me, have him ahead by a couple of points going into the convention. None of those folks expected anything other than a tight election. I think it is possible McCain could win the electoral vote and Obama the popular vote. But the Palin veep announcement is a shocker that Team Obama did not expect.
	Obama Robert Reich Former Labor Secretary Professor of Public Policy, UC Berkeley He’ll make the best the President.
	McCain Gary Shilling A. Gary Shilling & Co. President The next US president will be John McCain.  In the privacy of the voting booth, many voters will probably be concerned about a young, inexperienced, very liberal black leading the nation.