Bookmaker Bets on GOP for 1 House

Ladbrokes favors President Bush's party to retain control of the Senate but to lose the House of Representatives to the Democrats, said the bookmaker's spokesman Robin Hutchinson.

Ladbrokes quotes odds of 1-3 that the GOP will retain the Senate, meaning that a bettor would have to wager $3 to make a $1 profit.

In the House, the odds on the Republicans retaining control are 2-1, while the Democrats are favored at 4-11.

Ladbrokes rates the Democrats at 8-11 to win the presidency in 2008, with the Republicans at even money.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., is at 5-2, followed by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at 4-1, former Vice President Al Gore at 6-1, former Sen. John Edwards at 14-1 and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., at 20-1.

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