Politics

Updated May 10, 2009

Odds on Obama’s High Court Pick: Sotomayor the Favorite, First Lady 500 to 1

by Lee Ross 

, FOXNews.com

Appellate court judge Sonia Sotomayor is the front runner for President Obama's selection to the Supreme Court according to an Irish gambling Web site.

Appellate court judge Sonia Sotomayor is the front runner for President Obama's selection to the Supreme Court according to an Irish gambling Web site.

Paddy Power lists the New York-based judge at odds of 13-8. She is closely followed by Judge Diane Wood of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals at odds slightly higher than 2-1.

Gamblers with accounts on the Web site -- which is legal -- can also wager on the nominee's gender (female is a strong favorite) and if that person will pass muster with the Senate (prohibitive odds in favor).

First Lady Michelle Obama, a Harvard Law School graduate, is listed at 500-1, though a 1967 federal law against nepotism could prevent such an unlikely appointment.

The male with the lowest odds is Washington D.C.-based Judge Merrick Garland coming in at 12-1.

There are several betting interests who are already serving or have been nominated to other posts in the Obama Administration. 

Solicitor General Elena Kagan is 4-1. Cass Sunstein (16-1) and Harold Koh (20-1) are still waiting on Senate confirmation to posts that do not require them to wear a black robe.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (50-1) and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (100-1) are long-shots according to the Irish bookmaker.

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