Politics betting: Next US President

After she served up one of the biggest shocks in political betting history, Hillary Clinton has regained favouritism to become the next President of the United States, according to British bookmakers Ladbrokes. Click here for a free Ladbrokes £10 to bet on US politics with Ladbrokes The New York senator - now 5/4, from 11/4, for the top job - had been as big as 8/1 to win the Democratic vote in New Hampshire but she defied punters and pollsters alike to win the New Hampshire Primary and in a record-breaking turnout she saw off the 1/33 jolly Barack Obama as the Granite State went to the polls. Obama, the Hawaii-born hopeful who is bidding to become the first black President of the United States is now 2/1, from evens, for the White House and 11/10, from 1/2, to be selected as the Democratic party's candidate. Candidates from both parties are aiming to build momentum before more than 20 states hold polls on 5 February, known as Super Tuesday. New York Senator Clinton, 60, told a cheering crowd of supporters: "Over the last week I listened to you and in the process I found my own voice. I felt like we all spoke from our hearts and I am so gratified that you responded." Obama had been gathering momentum and he had gone into the vote with leads of up to 13 points in opinion polls following his impressive victory in Thursday's Iowa caucuses, after trailing Clinton for much of the campaign. He had gained further ground after riling Senator Clinton into a verbal attack in a recent Democratic TV debate. Clinton then launched a scathing tirade at Obama, when she accused him of shifting his position on key issues. After defeat Obama said: "I want to congratulate Senator Clinton on a hard fought victory here in New Hampshire. She did an outstanding job, give her a big round of applause." The tide has now turned back to Clinton and Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg feels her recent victory eclipses her husband's efforts in the same Primary in 1992: "Clinton's victory is nothing short of incredible. Punters and pollsters didn't give her a prayer in New Hampshire. She's eclipsed the efforts of her husband in 1992. And already backers are returning to her in their droves." John McCain, who made his own remarkable comeback in the Republican party contest is 7/2, from 7/1, to succeed George W Bush and 6/4, from 2/1, to become the Republican candidate. According to correspondents the 71-year-old former Vietnam prisoner of war's triumph put him firmly back in contention for the White House. The election battle now gathers pace, with Michigan holding its primary on January 15 and Nevada its caucuses on 19 January. And the next big contests are set for South Carolina, where Republicans hold their primary on 19 January with the Democrats in the state making their choice a week later on 26 January. KEY DATES 15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey LATEST BETTING To be elected US president in 2008 Hillary Clinton 5/4; Barack Obama 2/1; John McCain 7/2; Rudolph Giuliani 7/1; Mike Huckabee 10/1; Michael Bloomberg 16/1; Mitt Romney 20/1; Ron Paul 50/1; John Edwards 100/1; Fred Thompson 100/1; Bill Richardson 250/1 Democratic candidatureHillary Clinton 4/6; Barack Obama 11/10; John Edwards 66/1; Bill Richardson 250/1 Click here for a free Ladbrokes £10 to bet on US politics with Ladbrokes