Betfair.net

If you're trying to predict which way the State of New Mexico is going to go in this year's Presidential elections, the safest thing to do would be to guess that it will plump for the eventual winner.

Only twice since its formation has New Mexico backed a loser and its reputation as a swing state is well renowned. Both candidates will be keen to secure the State's support, although if they are going to do so they will need to concentrate and focus on the area until the bitter end, New Mexico's voting has in the past proved to be very tight.

Last time out George Bush triumphed by a few thousand votes while four years earlier, Al Gore's winning margin was even less. Both candidates will have reasons to be confident though, with both appealing to New Mexicans on different issues.

Barack Obama's grasp of the economy and what needs to be done to save it will stand him in good stead with the states' rural population, many of whom are struggling with poverty and social unrest. A lack of infrastructure in terms of both healthcare and education has left people yearning for the change that Obama is promising to bring about.

The feather in McCain's cap is his military background. 43% of New Mexico's population is made up of Hispanics who are over represented in the United States army. The ability of McCain to identify with many families who have relatives risking their lives for the country, is an angle he will be keen to utilize, along with his position on abortion.

The Hispanic population are, in the main, deeply religious and "pro-life". The Republican's hard-line views on abortion is unquestionably a policy which resonates immensely amongst this particular demographic and one shouldn't be shocked if McCain goes big on this issue as the election draws closer.

In a swing state such as this, desire to succeed could prove to be the difference between the two parties and when one compares the application and campaigning efforts of both candidates in the region, there is only one winner.

While the Democrats have worked tirelessly setting up a record number of local field offices, 40 in total, the Republicans have not been quite as proactive, boasting only a handful of stations, which makes harvesting support quite difficult, particularly in a state that is massive in size but rather minimal in population.

With two weeks remaining polls give Obama a ten point lead, which is extremely encouraging for Democrats, but before they get carried away it is worth noting that roughly 14% of New Mexico's voting population are yet to make up their minds.

Yes, Obama's lead has been growing by the day yet policy issues and the state's voting nature means that the door is not yet completely closed on a McCain comeback.

This hasn't deterred Betfair customers from throwing their hats firmly in the Democratic ring. With odds now standing at [1.1], in the mind of paying punters New Mexico is an Obama shoe in. And at odds of [6.6] in what is a two horse race, general betting opinion appears to be that the Republicans look dead and buried, which when one considers the narrow margins often involved in the "Land of Enchantment", is a mightily bold prediction to make.

FACTS:

Population - 1,969,191 (36th In The USA)

Land Area - 121,665 (5th In The USA)

Capital - Santa Fe

Admission To The Union - January 6th 1912

Famous Sons & Daughters - Bill Gates, Demi Moore