Thus, we get to watch the leader of the Western world holding a busted flush trying to bluff his way through the final round of betting.

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This year, he was one of four people who determined the horses that would be individual betting interests in the first round of the people.

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The betting is that he will come round in the end, and something reasonably close to Mr Bush's plan will eventually pass the House.

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Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet and Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Scherer round out Paddy Power's top five -- and though betting on the next pope is illegal in the U.S., the Irish bookmaker is offering 20-1 odds on Cardinal Timothy Dolan, America's top Catholic.

CNN: Gambling with God: Staking a wager on the next pope

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet and Italian Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco round out Paddy Power's top five -- and though betting on the next pope is illegal in the U.S., the Irish bookmaker is offering 33-1 odds on Cardinal Timothy Dolan, America's top Catholic.

CNN: Gambling with God: Staking a wager on the next pope

But Mr McCain is betting that, as well as his superior policies, his more open style will win voters round.

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