Chuck Hagel and Politics Betting Odds

Not one but two controversial announcements came from the White House today. Republican Chuck Hagel will replace Leon Panetta as Defense Secretary in Obama's second term; and John Brennan will replace the disgraced David Petraeus as head of the CIA.

Why all the uproar?

Why is it that these announcements are stirring up such a ruckus? Well, surprising for a Republican, Chuck Hagel has made a reputation for himself as being anti-Israel and anti a joint US/Israeli military strike on Iran. In fact he'd rather invite Iran to a discussion to avoid military action all together. He's also been criticized openly expressing anti-gay views.

Senator Hagel would be the first decorated military man to hold the title of Defense Secretary. He will oversee the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2015 or perhaps even earlier. 

After David Petraeus resigned from the CIA, tail between his legs, John Brennan is due to take his place. Back in 2008, he was also nominated as CIA head, but withdrew from the list after questions were raised about the interrogation techniques he was using in his counter-terrorism department. Brennan has been working alongside Obama for a while now, and led the hunt for Bin Laden.

Today's White House announcement is a hot topic and triggering a media frenzy.

Politics Betting on William Hill

Year-round, William Hill offer political sports bets on a wide variety of topics, both national and international: Who will be the next US President in 2016? Who will win the next UK elections in 2015? And more detailed still, what will the composition of the next UK government be? 

Then, there are more interesting bets, such as Which country will be the first to leave the Euro? Somewhat of a hot potato...

All of these political sports bets are already open.