With little more than three weeks until the gavel drops opening the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, rumor about who Barack Obama will chose as a running mate is picking up in intensity. Online gambling bookmaker Bodog (Bodoglife.com) has issued betting odds on several candidates allegedly being considered by Senator Obama. For the gambler, political betting is an exciting area to wager and a handicapper with a good feel for the political landscape can cash a nice check.
According to oddsmakers at Bodog, the top two candidates Obama is considering for the ticket are Indiana United States Senator Evan Bayh and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine . These two men are both 3/2 odds favorites to get the Vice Presidential nod. Delaware U.S. Senator Joe Biden is considered a serious candidate at 15/2 odds as are Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius at 8/1 odds. U.S. Senator from New York and former First Lady Hillary Clinton is listed at 12/1 odds to be picked.
In case you are unfamiliar with some of the Veep candidates, we will try to shed some light on some names we [Point-Spreads.com] think have a chance.
Evan Bayh 3/2 odds…Bayh, 52, is a U.S. Senator from Indiana and has served as Indiana governor. Bayh grew up in a political family as the son of Birch Bayh, who served as U.S. Senator from 1963 to 1981. The elder Bayh ran for president against Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter in 1976 but failed to get the nomination. Bayh would be appealing to the Obama ticket as a moderate Washington insider.
Tim Kaine 3/2 odds…Kaine,50, a lawyer by profession, is currently the governor of Virginia. Kaine is a moderate whom has shown appeal across party lines. Kaine is considered an up-and-comer in the Democratic Party. Kaine is attractive to the Obama ticket largely because he is considered a southerner and appeals to conservatives.
Joe Biden, 15/2 odds…Biden, 65, the six-term U.S. Senator from Delaware is a liberal and considered a beltway insider. Biden’s experience as a Capital Hill wrangler would bring decades of experience to the Obama ticket. Biden would be less attractive to conservative voters.
Kathleen Sebelius 8/1 odds…Sebelius, 60, the current Governor of Kansas is no stranger to politics growing up in a political family. Her father, is the former Ohio governor John J. Gilligan. Sebelius is married to a federal judge who is the son of a former U.S. Representive. Sebelius is attractive as a running mate because of her appeal to more conservative voters. She is counter to Obama’s more left wing image.
Hillary Clinton…12/1 odds…Clinton, 60, not as liberal as her reputation, is a U.S. Senator from New York. A Clinton appointment to the ticket is highly unlikely. Sources are saying the Obama campaign isn’t interested in her and that she isn’t interested in serving as VP.
Christopher Dodd, 10/1…U.S. Senator from Connecticut with insider connections.
Chuck Hagel, 16/1…Republican Senator from Nebraska…Republican ? Forget-about-it !
John Edwards 16/1…Nope! Not happening.
Bill Richardson, 18/1…Attractive to the Hispanic vote.
Sam Nunn, 20/1, Former Georgia U.S. Senator and moderate Democrat who knows Washington politics.
Wesley Clarke, 25/1…Not a bad choice. Would bring military experience to the ticket, however; unlikely
Al Gore, 30/1…Probably not interested. Makes tons of money on the national speaking tour. Been-there-done-that.
