CLICK HERE FOR US POLITICS BETTING MARKETS
This article was published a few months before Al Gore scooped the Nobel Peace Prize.
Over the years, readaBet has consistently proved a thorn in the bookmakers side when it comes to politics. Starting back in 2004, we proved our ability to pick out value political wagers, most memorably the turnout in the US election being higher than 54.5%, an absolute gift at the time considering the US press were full of stories about the higher expected turnout at the time.
More recently readaBet political followers are sitting on very tidy 2/1 voucher for the next UK general election to be called in 2009, those odds have since halved as the media hype surrounding a potential 2008 date have considerably died down.
Our next point of interest is an investment at much larger odds � Al Gore at a best price 8/1 to become the next President of the United States of America. At present the odds layers are focused on Hilary Clinton at the ridicously short price of 2/1 with Obama and Giuliani second and third in the betting at around the 4/1 mark.
Before even considering any of the reasons why Gore is so attractively priced, we should refer to a poll recently conducted in the key state of New Hampshire. Despite not officially entering the race, Al Gore was considered the overwhelming favourite to represent the Democrats. Hillary Clinton, the forerunner, would be forced into second place by 6 percentage points.
Al Gore hasn�t ruled himself in the Presidency race, but he hasn�t exactly ruled himself out the running. In my opinion this is as good as saying I am extremely interested in becoming President.
I really don�t buy his line about falling out of love with Politics. Yes losing two campaigns is going to hurt, but revenge wouldn�t come much sweeter if he could topple Bill, sorry Hilary Clinton, a family that isn�t exactly top of his Christmas card list.
Since admitting defeat to Bush back in 2000, a contest in which he actually won the popular vote � Gore has focused his efforts on raising awareness about global warming. His documentary film on the issue, "An Inconvenient Truth," won an Oscar earlier this year.
And of course in early July the world were treated to some of the finest musical acts in the Live Earth concerts backed by the former vice president. The 24-hour music marathon spanning seven continents saw rappers, rockers and country stars taking to the stage, and despite some of the negative press on the both sides of the pond, no one can deny awareness of global warming hasn�t been increased.
For someone who is clearly as passionate about the environment as Al Gore 100% is, the one person in this world with the most power to effect change is the main man or woman in the White House. So instead of finding a candidate to adopt his message as he claims is required, as well as people putting pressure on their leaders, why not just be that person to lead the way to a significant environmental change.
As I decided how much to part with my hard earned, I keep coming back to the same question. Why would someone who has fallen of politics not rule themselves out of the Presidential running?
The answers I keep coming up with are either he thinks he might fall back in love sooner rather than later, or he is playing a very clever game in that most people want something they can�t have. By appearing unattainable, the US public may see Gore more and more as the kind of figure they want leading the country. Once his popularity hits a certain level, perhaps then will we see Al Gore announce his intentions to run.
Whatever happens at this stage 8/1 looks a cracking investment. If he doesn�t run the bet of course has slim to no chance of showing a return. However, should the moment come when Al Gore falls back in love with politics, expect those odds to significantly shorten.
James Millman, readaBet.com
Article created on 1-/-1/2007 16: 1Send this article ( NEXT US PRESIDENT 2008 BETTING PREVIEW: AL GORE ) to a friend
