President Obama forces bookies to Pay Out
5th November, 2008
Barack Obama officially won the US election this morning after a comprehensive win over Republican rival John McCain. The Democrat party will be celebrating their return to the Whitehouse and many believe that the appointment of Obama will mark the beginning of radical change in American foreign and domestic policy.
Both election candidates have been scrutinized intensely and had to deal with 24/7 press coverage.
Obama however was always the favourite and McCain struggled to pick up votes in swing states such as Pennsylvania and Colorado.
Obama, on the other hand, won the states with the largest amount of electoral college votes such as New York, California, Illinois and Ohio.
One of Europe's largest bookies, Paddy Power, have had to pay out in excess of €1,000,000 to those who backed Obama, but have been doing so three weeks before the election took place. There was only ever going to be one winner.
The Irish based bookies have also begun taking bets for the 2012 Presidential election and Obama is 4/5 favourite to be reelected.
This just shows the current popularity of Obama as American believe real change can be achieved. The soon to be President is also 1/7 to be un-opposed in the Democratic nomination for the 2012 election.
Sarah Palin is 3/1 favourite to win Republican nomination in 2012 but is an unlikely 7/1 to replace Obama in the Whitehouse.
Who will Obama choose as Secretary of State? Paddy Power Odds:
- 9-4 Richard Holbrooke
- 7-2 Anthony Lake
- 7-2 Richard Lugar
- 8-1 Bill Richardson
- 12-1 Chuck Hagel
- 12-1 John Kerry
- 18-1 Daniel Shapiro
- 20-1 Daniel Kurtzer
- 20-1 George Mitchell
- 25-1 Eric Lynn
- 25-1 Dennis Ross
- 25-1 Susan Rice
- 28-1 James Steinberg
- 33-1 Mara Rudman
- 33-1 Bill Clinton
- 50-1 Colin Powell
- 66-1 Hillary Clinton
Visit Paddy Power today to place a bet!
By Jamie
