Irish bookie offers odds on Obama speech soundbites

[Fatman]

Mon Jan 19, 1:34 pm ET

DUBLIN (AFP) – An Irish bookie is offering odds on phrases that may be used by US president-elect Barack Obama in his inauguration speech Tuesday.

In a range of inauguration-themed bets, punters can place bets on the duration of Obama's speech, the TV ratings and what "cliche" he will first mention during his address.

The best odds on offer for the content of his speech are 8-1 for "Change has come", 10-1 for "Yes We Can" and 12-1 for "Fundamental belief", "As I stand here today", "Defining moment" and "God Bless America".

At the other end of the spectrum, long shots include 500-1 for "Always bet on black!" and 250-1 for "Let's get ready to rumble" and "Life is like a box of chocolates," said bookmakers Paddy Power.

Punters can also lay bets on the colour of his tie and who will be the designer of the ball gown worn by Obama's wife Michelle and what colour it will be.

The breed of puppy promised for Obama's daughters when they move into the White House can also be bet on -- the favourite being a Portuguese water hound.

Last year Paddy Power paid out over one million euros (1.3 million dollars) on the former Illinois senator winning the 2008 presidential race, about three weeks before the vote.

"The have nots? Well if the have nots could get something from the haves and the haves gave the have nots half of what they have, then the haves would still be the haves but the have nots would be the have somethings." - Fred Sanford and Barack Obama

[tt11758]

"The have nots? Well if the have nots could get something from the haves and the haves gave the have nots half of what they have, then the haves would still be the haves but the have nots would be the have somethings." - Fred Sanford and Barack Obama

File that under, "Things that make you scratch your head and say wtf?!?"