1.   It was a silly thing to do because the networks anointed the winner months ago.

2.   Not all analysts accept the suggestion that the economy has become more ruthless than ever at anointing winners and dispatching losers.

3.   Wall Street loves to anoint winners, and given the impact of capital flow, these prophecies can become self-fulfilling.

4.   The winners have been anointed, and their rivals have effectively conceded, saying they ought to be credited with some success, even in defeats by landslide margins.

5.   The winners have been anointed, their rivals have effectively conceded, saying they ought to be credited with some success, even in defeats by landslide margins.