Prediction site backs Parker

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Prospects of Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker retaining the job in the next local body elections soared in the wake of the Canterbury earthquake, online prediction market iPredict says.

The Victoria University research and trading outfit has for the past month or so had Mr Parker's chances of a win at between 8 percent and 16 percent, but that leaped to 40 percent immediately after Saturday's quake and was today at 31 percent.

Mr Parker's main challenger, Wigram MP Jim Anderton, could not be contacted for comment this morning but iPredict suggested his stock took a marginal hit in the wake of the earthquake.

The website had him polling in the 80s leading up to the weekend, but there was a dip to the low 60s throughout Saturday, returning to 69 percent late this morning.

Mr Parker has brushed off a comparison with former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who widely was praised for his response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, saying it was his job to show leadership in times of crisis and any mayor would do the same.

- NZPA