Next US President - Barack Obama - 9-1 - William Hill - 10pts

I have previously backed Barack Obama at 16-1 to be US President. This week, Obama announced on hs website (http://origin.barackobama.com/video/) that he was establishing an Exploratory Committee, the fisrt step to mounting a Presidential Challenge. He is due to make an final decision on Feb 10th 2007, and then stated he 'looked forward to continuing our conversation in the weeks and months to come'. This to me looks like he will run for President.

A recent poll for the Democratic Nomination make him close to Hilary Clinton (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Democratic%20Primaries/DemocraticPrimary.htm), with the other runners far behind (although another poll I've seen this has Clinton still 10pts ahead. Both these polls were taking before Obama's announcement, from which he should get a lift. I thinks that this will be a two horse race for the Democratic nomination, with the momemtum at present in Obama's favour. (His use of the internet for the announcement is impressive).

At many bookies he is approx 9/2 for next President (which I think is the correct price), so I've had 10pts on Obama at 9/1 at William Hill. I see him as the next JFK (who overcame the supposed *electoral* handicap of being Catholic (he was the 1st non Protestant president) -Obama could do the same for being a non White candidate.

N.B. William Hill are taking a stance in a number of markets in politicl events and are happy to take proper sized bets..one of of is gone to be a serious loser!