Barack Obama Controversies Have Little Affect on Presidential Odds

After being dropped from an all time high of 3 to 1 odds last month to 6 to 1 odds, Barack Obama seems to be weathering recent controversy much better.  He remains with odds of 6 to 1 of becoming the next US President in 2008.

This is Carrie Stroup reporting on the political front - or should I say STORM FRONT - for Gambling911.com, the number one political betting news and information website in the galaxy. 

As reported in the Chicago Tribune: Controversy over Obama's financial dealings could be particularly troubling to the senator because of his advocacy of high ethical standards, both in the state legislature and Congress. He also has benefited from a reformist image.

Obama already has had to contend with a controversy over his reliance on a major contributor, Tony Rezko, later indicted in a political corruption probe unrelated to Obama, in transactions related to the purchase of Obama's $1.65 million home.

The investments that stirred concern involve two speculative stocks with business interests influenced by the government: AVI BioPharma, a biotech company, and SkyTerra Communications, a satellite communications company. The transactions were first examined by the Web site thestreet.com. The New York Times later disclosed the involvement of Obama campaign contributors in the companies.

AVI was developing a drug to fight avian flu, and two weeks after Obama purchased the stock he introduced legislation to increase funding to combat the virus, which was spreading in Asia at the time. SkyTerra received government permission to build a national wireless network on the day Obama purchased his shares.

At 6 to 1 odds, Obama would pay out $6 for every $1 bet should he become the next President.  He would pay $600 for every $100 bet and $6000 on every $1000 bet at Sportsbook.com (see website here)

Meanwhile, Hilary Clinton continues to sit pretty with even odds. 

John Edwards had odds of 8 to 1.  Al Gore, who is yet to announce his intentions of running, has been listed with 5 to 1 odds and is widely seen as becoming a neck-and-neck favorite with Mrs. Clinton should he throw his hat into the ring.

All odds appear below and were effective as of March 9, 2007 but subject to change if bets are not locked in prior to March 10, 2007 at Sportsbook.com (see website here).

Al Gore 5-1


Al Sharpton 1000-1


Alan Keyes 750-1


Alberto Gonzales 75-1


Arnold Schwarzenegger 250-1


Barack Obama 6-1


Bill Clinton 300-1


Bill Frist 100-1


Bill Maher 2500-1


Bill OReilly 750-1


Bill Owens 50-1


Bill Richardson 12-1


Bob Ehrlich 75-1


Bob Graham 150-1


Bob Kerrey 50-1


Charles Schumer 75-1


Chris Dodd 50-1


Chuck Hagel 22-1


Clint Eastwood 750-1


Colin Powell 25-1


Condoleezza Rice 30-1


Dennis Kucinich 200-1


Dick Cheney 75-1


Dick Gephardt 75-1


Donald Rumsfeld 2000-1


Donald Trump 2500-1


Doug Stanhope 25-1


Elizabeth Dole 750-1


Evan Bayh 20-1


Gary Locke 70-1


George Allen Jr 10-1


George Pataki 50-1


George W Bush 200-1


Harold Ford Jr 75-1


Hillary Clinton 1-1


Howard Dean 75-1


Jack Kemp 75-1


James Carville 1000-1


Jay Rockefeller 100-1


Jeb Bush 100-1


Jesse Jackson 200-1


Jesse Ventura 1000-1


Joe Biden 30-1


Joe Lieberman 150-1


John Ashcroft 1500-1


John Edwards 8-1


John Kerry 50-1


John McCain 5-1


Laura Bush 1000-1


Mark Warner 15-1


Michael Bloomberg 150-1


Michael Moore 7500-1


Mike Gravel 50-1


Mike Huckabee 20-1


Mitt Romney 10-1


Newt Gingrich 40-1


Pat Robertson 2000-1


Paul Bremmer 150-1


Paul Wolfowitz 750-1


Ralph Nader 100-1


Rick Santorum 50-1


Rudy Giuliani 5-2


Russ Feingold 40-1


Sam Brownback 10-1


Ted Kennedy 750-1


Tom Daschle 50-1


Tom Ridge 50-1


Tom Tancredo 50-1


Tom Vilsack 40-1


Tommy Franks 200-1


Wesley Clark 20-1