SO WHAT WILL THEY CALL THE NEW BARK OBAMA?

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Dec 28, 2008 | by DARREN BOYLE

MORE than 1,000 Irish punters have put money on what president elect Barrack Obama will call the dog he intends bringing to the White House.

The former Illinois senator has promised his two daughters, Malia and Sasha, that he will get them a dog as soon as they move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

President Elect Obama vowed to buy the dog in November after defeating John McCain in the race to become the next US President.

Mr Obama said that the dog would be "a mutt like me".

The new president will take office on January 20, replacing the much criticised George W Bush.

A spokesman for top bookie Paddy Power said most of the bets were very small - in the range of EUR10-EUR20 - but he was surprised by the sheer volume.

Favourite at the moment is Washington at 10-1, while Kennedy is 25-1. But shrewd punters have been backing King at 14/1 because the inauguration comes just one day after the anniversary of Martin Luther King's birth.

For those looking at an outside bet, Condi and Dubya are both 33/ 1, while Reagan and Nixon were 50/1.

But the best value is on a more controversial name. The truly brave punter can back Osama at 500/1.

The Paddy Power spokesman said such bets were simply "a bit of fun": "People have been going mad over Obama bets since he was elected.

"They can't get enough of him. There is even a market on which actor will be the first to play him in a Hollywood movie. Unsurprisingly, Will Smith is the favourite."

Barrack Obama has already cost Paddy Power heavily. The cheeky bookie paid out on Obama to win a full month before the election took place.

That decision cost the company a staggering EUR1 million - but it also secured them worldwide publicity. But earlier in the year, Paddy Power was stung for EUR80,000 after deciding to pay out early for a yes vote on Lisbon.

In the hours before the result was announced, the bookie felt that the vote would be carried and paid out to its grateful customers.

Unfortunately for the company, the Irish people decided against the Treaty, leaving the firm out of pocket.

But already, punters have begun putting money on Lisbon II - with several bets of EUR5,000 on a Yes vote. Such is the level on money going on a yes vote that the odds have been slashed from 5/6 to 4/ 6. A no vote can be backed at 11-10.