[img_assist|nid=574|title=U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R)|desc=Getty Image|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=267]BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- A lot of people talked about Mitt Romney filling out the Republican ticket this year, but, according to a former campaign adviser, Romney was actually betting against himself.

Ron Kaufman, a close friend of Romney's who worked on his aborted presidential campaign, said there was a bet between the two of them over Romney's chances of getting tapped as John McCain's vice presidential nominee.

Kaufman bet the former governor would be on the ticket. Romney said he wouldn't make it.

With Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska prepared to accept the nomination here this week, Kaufman said he is donating his stake to two charity events Romney is attending during the Republican National Convention.

The beneficiaries of the wager will be U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Erik Paulsen, who is running in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District.