Iowa Straw Poll Results: Gambling Site Halts Taking BetsThe Iowa Straw Poll is such a pivotal event that for the first time since posting 2008 US Presidential odds, Sportsbook.com has stopped taking bets during Saturday in anticipation for some potentially heavy action coming in when the results are announced some time after 8 pm EST that evening.
"They do not want to get caught with their pants down," explains Gambling911.com Senior Editor, Payton O'Brien.
Sportsbook.com acted cautiously on Saturday as odds for the Iowa Straw Poll anticipated beneficiaries promised a payout of $800 for every $100 bet.
Mitt Romney, who leads in the polls, and Ron Paul, who leads in online popularity, both entered the Iowa Straw Poll with 8 to 1 odds.
"We are going to witness some adjustments, probably with most of the Republican candidates," says O'Brien.
It is not known how the Iowa Straw Poll results will affect odds on either Rudy
Giuliani (at 3 to 1 odds entering Saturday) or John McCain (at 5 to 1 odds). Both men declined to take part in Saturday's precursor to the Caucuses.
Heading into the weekend's Straw Polls held in Ames, Iowa, the following odds were observed for each of the Republican candidates including Fred Thompson, who has not officially declared his candidacy.
Sam Brownback 25-1 - Kansas Senior Senator. Brownback is said to have been employing "a network of social conservatives and Christian activists to raise his profile" in such battleground states as Iowa and New Hampshire."
Rudy Giuliani 3-1- As previously stated, the former New York City mayor will not be taking part in the Iowa Straw Poll. Giuliani is pro-choice, and supports a type of civil union between same sex couples and agrees for legal and medical reasons that same sex relationships should get the same rights under the law. He also believes in strong restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms and agrees with harsh punishment for illegal weapons or non permitted weapons. While opinions differ, some think that these positions could help him, should he secure the nomination, in the general election; others question whether the Republican base would support a nominee with Giuliani's social positions.
He is the current favorite among oddsmakers in the Republican category with only Democrat Hillary Clinton having shorter odds. If elected, Giuliani would become the first Italian-American President of the United States.
Mike Huckabee 50-1 - A longshot, he's enjoyed some favorable press. The former Arkansas Governor has been focusing heavily on Ames, Iowa in recent months.
Duncan Hunter (no odds posted) -Sportsbook.com did not offer odds on Hunter heading into the Iowa Straw Poll.
The
U.S. Representative from California and former Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. He is known for his strong stance against illegal immigration, support and opposition to free trade agreements like North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization. He introduced H.R. 552, The Right to Life Act, "to implement equal protection . . . for the right to life of each born and preborn human person"; it has over 100 co-sponsors.
John McCain 5-1 - was born in Panama City, Panama (the Canal Zone controlled by US forces). The Senator from Arizona was initially listed as the favorite by oddsmakers but has lost some steam in recent months (as illustrated by a complete reorganization of his campaign strategy).
McCain's bipartisan compromise on judicial nominations and his strong support of campaign finance reform have drawn the ire of many groups,many of which have vowed to work against any McCain campaigns for the Republican nomination in 2008. However, he has a strong stance on many issues and economically falls more along the lines of traditional "fiscal conservatism." These factors, along with his commitment to the War on Terror (including Iraq) have boosted his popularity amongst conservatives since 2004, when he emphasized these traits while stumping for Republican candidates. If elected, he would become the oldest person in history elected president, surpassing Ronald Reagan, and if elected to two terms, McCain would be the oldest sitting president in U.S. history.
Ron Paul 8-1 - Born in Pennsylvania. He is a long time U.S. Representative from Texas with a strong constitutionalist and libertarian voting record whose district includes the well known city of Galveston. Ron Paul led the Texas Delegation to nominate Ronald Reagan, which helps to broaden his appeal beyond just the Internet where he enjoys massive popularity. Ron Paul's candidacy is arguably one of the most popular subjects featured on the Gambling911.com website during its 7 years existence.
Paul has the distinction of being opposed to the Iraq War and interventionist US foreign policy. He is one of 7 Republican congressman who voted against Iraq War authorization in October 2002. He has also opposed George W. Bush and the majority of Republican congressmen on many other issues, including the PATRIOT Act. His record on these issues means he may draw support from some surprising circles, including anti-war activists and paleoconservatives.
At 8-1 odds, Paul entered the Iowa Straw Poll as the favorite (tied with Mitt Romney) of those in attendance.
Mitt Romney 8-1 - Along with Ron Paul was the favorite of those in attendance at the Iowa Straw Poll. Though national polls have Romney ahead of both
Giuliani and McCain, oddsmakers had the two men with shorter odds of winning the Presidency.
Romney has failed to generate much in the way of any Web support. Gambling911.com enjoyed the highest news search ranking for a piece touting Romney's upcoming 60 Minutes segment some months ago, and the article barely registered more than 500 reads.
He is the former Governor of Massachusetts, born in Michigan, with strong Mormon beliefs. This is likely to help in his securing of at least three states. Likewise, he has traveled extensively in primary states such as South Carolina and New Hampshire. Although he ran as a moderate for the office of Governor of Massachusetts and during his failed Senate bid in 1994, he supported more conservative positions as his term progressed.
Tom Tancredo 100-1 - is among the biggest long shots appearing in Iowa this weekend. His claim to fame comes from advocating more restrictive immigration policies. Tancredo is a Representative from Colorado.
Tommy Thompson is the 200 to 1 long shot former four-term Governor from Wisconsin who has already vowed to leave the race if he performs poorly in neighboring state, Iowa, this weekend.
Fred Thompson 4-1 - Has not officially declared his candidacy for 2008 US President, however, he is widely viewed as the favorite to win among Republicans should he do so. Thompson will not be appearing at the weekend's Straw Polls.
Thompson is the former Senator from Tennessee and actor, best known for playing D.A. Arthur Branch on Law & Order. There was speculation that Thompson would run for Governor of Tennessee in 2006, but he declined to run against the popular Governor Phil Bredesen.
Get all the latest Iowa Straw Poll News and Results from Gambling911.com
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com
Originally published August 11, 2007 10:52 pm ET
