Washington insiders have advised that one time US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, is seriously being considered as Republican Presidential candidate John McCain's running mate and perhaps the future Vice President.
Talk of Colin Powell really heated up following Barack Obama's failure to select Hillary Clinton. Powell is widely regarded among both Republicans and Democrats.
Powell had been a 65/1 long shot earlier this month at online gambling website Bookmaker.com. On Tuesday, the oldest established North American facing betting firm was forced to remove odds on the Republican VP once again following the Powell news. Bookmaker.com had Colin Powell listed among the 3/1 "field" options, which included any choice not implicitly given odds.
Politico's Mike Allen reported this past weekend:
Powell was among the possible vice presidential choices the Arizona Republican senator was thinking of when he said he would not rule out a supporter of abortion rights, a key adviser said ..."
The Republican party was near even odds (a $100 bet would pay $160 at press time if McCain were to become the next US President - See Odds). Polls showed McCain closing in on Obama even more, a result believed associated with disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporters who feel they have been ignored by the Illinois junior Senator.
Last week, Bookmaker.com took a $20,000 bet on McCain being selected the next President.
McCain said he would make online gambling prohibition a "very low priority". In fact, it was something he said he cared nothing about.
Millions of angry poker players and sports bettors are quick to blame the Republican party for passage of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, which makes it illegal for banks to knowingly transmit money from online gambling websites (except horse racing) to and from US citizens. Nonetheless, a number of Republicans have supported proposed legislation that would repeal that 2006 law, most notably Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who is having his own convention in St. Paul, Minnesota this weekend.
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
