Gore withdrawl leaves nomination open for Clinton

Hillary Clinton has been cut from 1/4 to 1/7 to secure the Democratic presidential nomination, following Al Gore's decision not to stand. Gore's latest move has also saved the bookies on a huge payout on a unique treble.

The former First Lady is 1/2 from 4/7 with Ladbrokes to win the battle for the White House as she attempts to become the first ever woman President of the United States. Barack Obama, the junior US senator for Illinois and the only African American currently serving in the US senate, is her closest rival for the Democrat nomination at 11/2. John Edwards, the Democrat nominee for vice-President in 2004, is third favourite in the latest betting at 16/1. 

Ladbrokes spokesman, Nick Weinberg, said: "Clinton was favourite even with Gore in the race. But his withdrawal means one less big name opponent with the ability to sustain a campaign."

The layers were also breathing a huge sigh of relief after offering a unique 100/1 treble about the former vice-President. For the bet to come off, Gore firstly needed to win an Oscar for the film 'An Inconvenient Truth' which duly won an Academy Award for best documentary feature.

Then Gore needed to win the Nobel prize - which he did when he shared the 2007 award with the Intergovernmental panel on climate change. The third and final part of the bet was for Gore to secure the presidency in 2008, which with the decision not to stand is now impossible.

"I personally have the energy, the drive and ambition to make another campaign, but I don't think it's the right thing for me to do," Gore said.

Weinberg added: "The triple whammy looked unlikely when we priced the market up. But Gore's Academy Award made us sit up and take note. By the time he landed the Nobel gong we were really beginning to sweat. His presidential announcement came as a welcome relief."

LATEST BETTING

Democratic candidature: Hilary Clinton 1/7; Barack Obama 11/2; John Edwards; 16/1; Bill Richardson 33/1 (all Ladbrokes)

Republican candidature: Rudolph Giuliani evens; Mitt Romney 11/4 (all Ladbrokes) 

(Editor's Note: Al Gore is the man of the moment and with him in her camp Hilary Clinton now looks favourite for the presidency, let alone Democrat nomination. For the latest politics betting go to Ladbrokes)