The R4’12 staff was asked to gaze into their crystal balls and tell us what they saw in store for us in 2009. Their predictions are printed below…
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Alex Knepper:
Netanyahu becomes Prime Minister of Israel. Israel strikes Iran late in the year. Everyone gets really, really angry at Israel for screwing up the non-existent “diplomatic process,” while sane people everywhere breathe a sigh of relief.
Sarah Palin shocks me by says something insightful, Ron Paul shocks no one by saying something crazy.
Unemployment reaches double-digits, President Obama’s response is a massive expansion of government works — and therefore government employment. Socialism creeps ever closer.
Fred Thompson wakes up, asks who won the election.
Michael Steele becomes RNC Chairman, mostly based upon his star power.
Kristofer Lorelli challenges Todd Palin to a dogsledding race to win Sarah’s love; the surprise winner is Mitt Romney, as he is the ultimate sledder on Race42012. Romney gets the girl, Lorelli’s dreams are shattered.
Rod Blagojevich is thrown out of the governor’s mansion, a Republican wins the next gubernatorial election.
Rudy Giuliani is thrown out of the Playboy Mansion, still wins the next gubernatorial election.
Caroline Kennedy is not appointed the next senator from New York. A seatholder is chosen, instead. Kennedy explains that she’d much prefer to run in 2010, anyway, where she can take her message directly to the voters.
Fox News and MSNBC combine forces for the ultimate in bipartisan news. Hannity and Colmes is replaced by O’Reilly and Olbermann. Alex smiles, then wakes up.
Barack Obama’s popularity does not wane, while the far-right plank of the party continues to charge down the hill, refusing to reform, instead choosing to complain about the unfairness of it all.
Alex Knepper will write lots of brilliant things. Lots and lots of brilliant things. Adam Graham offers the head of Huckabee as tribute, Alex explains that he is a compassionate conservative and does not care for tribute.
Adam Graham:
Several posts will be made this year on Race42012 that will attempt to bring the Republican Party together into unity, respect, and understanding by telling the other factions in the party the way it’s going to be.
Caroline Kennedy will not be the next Senator from New York.
The RNC Chairman’s race will be won through a series of backroom deals and will be decided on the 4th ballot. In a surprise compromise, Mike Duncan will be elected General Chairman (day to day leader of the GOP) and Michael Steele will be the National Chairman (public face of the party.)
Rob Blagojevich will be gone from office by the 1st of April.
Bob McConnell will be elected Governor of Virginia.
Michael Bloomberg will be re-elected Mayor of New York, proving you don’t need a political party to have a political machine.
The Stimulus Package will pass Congress and one week after it’s passed, it will be discovered that the bill includes regulations to abolish the BCS system and require college football to have a playoff.
The unemployment rate will hit 9% by New Years day, 2010.
The Cabinet appointee who will face the most scrutiny: Eric Holder.
There will be no Senate vote on the Freedom of Choice Act or on the Employer’s Free Choice Act.
The Obama White House will blunder with Health Care reform, trying to move too quickly and too fast to get something through, but will instead force the bill into the congressional meat grinder. By the end of the year, health care reform will still be in Congress and will be three times the length of whatever legislation Obama originally submitted.
Benjamin Netanyahu will be elected Prime Minister of Israel and will be a thorn in the side of Secretary of State Clinton.
The Minnesota Vikings defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 26-23 to win the Super Bowl.
The Texas Longhorns win the NCAA Championship
The Phillies will finish 3rd in the NL East, while the D-Rays win the Wild Card, The Red Sox will not make the playoffs and the World Series will come down to the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets. Indians in 6.
Heath Ledger will win Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker. The Dark Knight will win a couple minor Oscars, but will not take home an award for Best Picture or Best Director.
G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra will bomb so bad that there will be no sequel.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine: will deal a death blow to the X-Men franchise.
Star Trek will be a surprisingly successful reboot that will revive the Trek Franchise and earn $250 million at the box office.
Obama’s approval rating by the end of the year: 46%
Mike “Gamecock” Devine:
-Cock-a-doodle-do! Our pre-Election Day sabbatical aka “retirement is over just in time for 2009 clairvoyance.
Last year we predicted the launch of the FNC “Huckabee” show; that neither Huckabee nor McCain would be addressed as “President-Elect; that the Congressional moratorium on offshore oil drilling would expire and that the Celtics would play the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
In 2009, FNC will launch a new show hosted by Michael Steele; Congress will re-institute oil drilling restrictions and the Celtics will face the Suns in the NBA finals.
Ken Blackwell will be elected RNC chair.
Unemployment will top 10%; inflation will top 6%; the prime rate will top 5%; and regular unleaded will top $2.20/gallon.
The Roberts-Alito court will reverse at least two O’Connor Establishment Clause precedents; limit punitive damage awards in tobacco cases; deny liability in “light” cigarette cases; and President Obama will be caught on film puffing on a Kool outside the Oval Office.
Unions will not see “card check” enacted into law.
Neither comprehensive health care reform nor cap and trade legislation will be passed during the Hundred Days.
Obama first promised to create 2 million jobs in two years, then said he would create or “save” three million. Currently, over 154 million Americans are employed. We do not believe that even the disastrous policies of Obama and the Democrats will force more than 151 million out of work. At the end of 2009 and even 2010, more than three million jobs will have been “saved”.
Rahm Emmanuel will not be Chief of Staff past the date of December 31, 2009.
Obama will scale back his promised tax cuts in the First Hundred Days, but the Oceans will be lower after the First 300 Days
Oklahoma will beat Florida in the BCS Bowl.
The Carolina Panthers will defeat the Colts in the Super Bowl.
Tar Heels win March Madness.
Suns play Celtics in NBA Finals.
Yankees do not play in the World Series.
Hillary persuades Turkey and Syria to withdraw from Iraqi Kurdistan.
Rooster never misses a dawn.
Michael Stubel:
New York Governor David Paterson will play it safe and tap Andrew Cuomo to fill Hillary’s Clinton vacant Senate seat. Paterson figured that Caroline Kennedy would not be ready on day one.
Illinois Governor (is there truly any leadership in that state?) Rod Blagojevich will be impeached and deemed unfit to govern by the Illinois legislature. Removed from office, Blagojevich will be heard yelling “I will fight, I will fight, I will fight – until I take my last breath!” as he leaves the capitol building.
Domestic oil prices will continue their unusual downward trend, before increasing as the weather turns warmer, causing Americans to prioritize energy independence yet again. Then prices will drop and the calls for action will dwindle. In other words, we’ll get nowhere on the issue.
Mike Duncan retains his RNC Chairmanship, despite a heavy challenge from Michael Steele. The party’s prospects for a conservative renewal take a hit as the interventionist policies of Bush, Paulson, Pelosi, and Reid become a trusted practice.
The sour experiences of Lebanon fresh in their mind, Israel will tread more cautiously in Gaza. Massive air strikes will continue to pound the Strip, but the resilience of Hamas will discourage thoughts of a ground assault. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livini and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu will forge a coalition government, following deadlocked parlimentary elections in February.
The Philadelphia Eagles- yes, those 9-6-1 Birds- will defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-13 in Super Bowl XLIII. Donovan McNabb will be named MVP.
Tensions between India and Pakistan will escalate into cross-border clashes in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attack. The new front will divert Pakistani resources away from their troubled northwestern region, largely resigning the tribal areas to Al-Qaeda and other militants.
In Afghanistan, emboldened insurgents will battle American and NATO forces on the doorstep of Kabul, before being driven back by a Iraq-style surge of U.S. troops. The legend of General David Petraeus grows.
Receiving actionable and solid intelligence for the first time in years, President Obama will give the green light on a special forces operation across the Pakistan border. Osama Bin Laden is captured and brought to justice.
David Cameron’s Conservative Party wins control of the British Parliament in an extremely tight race over Gordon Brown and his Labour Party.
Unemployment reaches 8 percent, but the most grim forecasts do not come to pass. The deficit balloons, but consumer confidence slowly rebounds as the credit market thaws.
Somewhere in America- pick a state- a Democratic governor will face a stunning scandal
More sports: Penn State upsets USC in the Rose Bowl, Florida takes the BCS title over Oklahoma, the San Jose Sharks win the Stanley Cup, Kobe’s Lakers defeat LeBron’s Cav’s in the NBA Finals, and the Chicago Cubs finally win a World Series (yes, I am crazy).
Matt Coulter:
Rod Blagojevich will hold on to the Governor’s mansion as long as he can, until the legislature finally removes him as the embarrassment he is. The entire time he will proclaim his innocence and tell the voters of Illinois that this is nothing more than a distraction from the pressing issues of the state. A Democrat will still win the Governorship in the next election.
Rahm Emmanuel will stay on as Obama’s Chief of Staff, despite being dirtied in the Blagojevich scandal. The MSM and a vast majority of the country will not care.
Barack Obama will not move to repeal the Bush tax cuts, evoking loud cries of anguish from the lefty blogosphere but sighs of relief from practical, level-headed liberals (yes, there are a few out there). In the political irony of the year, Obama will cite the worsening economy as the main reason for this move.
Barack will move to get some sort of universal health care program in place, despite the fact that it will cause the federal deficit to balloon by exorbitant amounts. Early estimations of how much the program will cost will be shown to be less than a third of the actual cost once the program is in place (which probably won’t be until 2010 or 2011).
The Congress and Obama will fail to pass another $700 billion bailout bill because the Republicans, emboldened by being in the minority once again, will refuse to provide token votes for political cover. The Democrats in turn will blame the worsening economy on the GOP, a soundbite the MSM will parrot dozens of times throughout the year.
In a move that shows why the Republicans will be the minority party for some time to come, Mike Duncan retains his leadership at the RNC. Fundraising numbers continue to decline, recruitment efforts continue to slow, and the GOP lose even more seats in both the House and the Senate in 2010 — because in 2010, Americans will be excited at the prospect of a bettering economy and at the prospect of the new health care program just put in place (before anyone has time to realize how poorly it actually works and how much it actually costs).
The tribal areas in Pakistan continue to spiral out of control, and the push for more soldiers into Afghanistan will only serve to strengthen the Taliban leadership in those areas as more and more terrorist soldiers flee to those hills where Americans aren’t allowed to go – thanks to the old and the new Pakistani government. Osama bin Laden remains safe there as well; Americans largely forget about the War on Terror.
In more news that no one will report, America (and what’s left of the other coalition troops) will hand over the 13th and 14th provinces to Iraqi control, leaving only four provinces remaining when Obama begins troop “redeployment” out of Iraq. Without the presence of Americans, insurgents claim those four provinces and use them for a base of terror across the rest of the country.
Gas prices will begin their necessary rise once again as Americans begin to drive more because of the lower prices and as OPEC tries to put the squeeze on the US (and other non-OPEC countries follow suit). American voters will continue to remain in the dark about simple economic principles such as supply and demand. Prices in 2009 will reach $2.25-$2.50 a gallon.
Unemployment reaches 8.5%, then in the last months of the year begins a very slight downward move as the economy begins to right itself. Nothing is learned from the current economic crisis except the false lessons of the need for more government intervention in the free markets, and so the US heads down a track toward an even bigger economic crisis sometime in the next couple decades.
Obama’s approval rating will begin to slip from the artificially high 70% currently down to around a still impressive 55-60%. The GOP will continue to look foolish by attacking Obama instead of presenting new, fresh ideas on how to solve the country’s problems.
The Super Bowl will be Manning vs. Manning as the surprisingly strong Colts, despite many key players being out with injuries, make their way past San Diego in a high scoring affair, defeat Pittsburgh handily as the Colts offense picks apart the D and holds the Steelers’ anemic offense in single digits, and Baltimore in a close game that comes down to the fourth quarter. The Giants will rally to defeat Philadelphia and narrowly beat Carolina in an offensive shootout. The Colts will then upset the Giants in Superbowl 43, 41-37.
Kristofer Lorelli:
Harry Reid is ousted as Senate majority leader.
The Fairness Doctrine passes House and Senate.
The U.S. Dollar falls below 50 cents against the Euro.
Aron Goldman:
January 19, 2009: President Bush uses his last day in office to issue pardons to Scooter Libby and Plaxico Burress. The heads of Keith Olbermann and Michael Bloomberg spontaneously combust.
February 1, 2009: Adam Vinatieri’s 47-yard field goal in double overtime gives NFL MVP Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts their second Super Bowl victory in three years. A distraught Donovan McNabb is inconsolable after taking a knee to end the first overtime; certain his Eagles had just played to a tie, securing diamond rings and a Lombardi trophy of their own.
April 20, 2009: On his 89th birthday, associate justice John Paul Stevens announces his retirement. President Obama, livid over Secretary of State Clinton’s defiant support for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s continued occupation of northern Gaza, tosses Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book in the trash, and determines that Hillary will ultimately cause him the least amount of grief from the Supreme Court.
May 5, 2009: President Obama guarantees the Hispanic vote for the Democrats for the remainder of the 21st Century by issuing an Executive Order that makes Spanish our nation’s official language. ¡Sí, Se Puede!
June 3, 2009: Citing a stagnant economy, the WNBA suspends its operations for the 2009 season. Millions of sports fans across America rejoice.
July 4, 2009: President Obama finally makes good on his claim to have visited 57 states by granting statehood to the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Israel and Iraq. Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann and Nancy Pfotenhauer hold a joint press conference denouncing the expansion as “an insult to the real, pro-America parts of the country.”
September 6, 2009: Ex-con Michael Vick returns to the NFL as a running back for the Oakland Raiders, rushing for 275 yards against the Chiefs. The next day, Vick is mauled by a pit bull in a park, losing two fingers on his throwing hand and half his left foot. (Cue John Lennon’s “Instant Karma”)
October 31, 2009: After sweeping the Chicago White Sox in the ALCS and the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series, the New York Yankees are reminded by President Obama that “when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” In an unprecedented act, Obama issues Executive Order 13512, ‘redistributing’ A-Rod, Jeter, Burnett and Sabathia to Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Seattle and San Diego, respectively.
November 25, 2009: President Obama deems the foundering New York Times “too important an institution to fail.”
We’ll say good-bye in 2009 to Billy Graham, Ted Kennedy, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and Amy Winehouse won’t have to worry about going back to rehab.
Kavon W. Nikrad:
Violence in the Middle East escalates to a level not seen in nearly four-decades.
By year’s end, a Russia-Ukraine military conflict will appear inevitable.
As the proverbial “cherry on top”, China takes its saber-rattling over Taiwan to a new level.
Obama’s diminished approval rating comes from his handling of foreign affairs and international crises, not domestic ones.
Neither Card Check, The Fairness Doctrine, nor comprehensive health care reform are enacted into law. Comprehensive Immigration reform does pass both houses of Congress and is signed into law.
Unemployment approaches, but does not surpass, ten-percent.
By December, Republicans will be fairly impressed by candidate recruitment for the 2010 Midterms.
I will continue to be amused and befuddled by predictions and declarations regarding the recovery of the American Economy in light of a moribund housing market, skyrocketing government spending, and the specter of future capital gains tax increases.
At least one other American industry -which is not yet on the radar – will collapse and request a multi-billion dollar bailout.
Mike Duncan is re-elected as RNC Chair.
It will be clear to everyone but the willfully ignorant what we have known for some time: Newt Gingrich will be a candidate for President of the United States in 2012.
By December or 2009, the top tier of the Republican 2012 nomination race will be perceived as including Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and Newt Gingrich.
The Tennessee Titans are destroyed in their opening playoff game.
The New York Jets and Brett Favre part ways. Favre makes overtures to other teams and finds few takers.
The New York Giants will face the Indianapolis Colts in a historic brother vs. brother “game for the ages.” The Giants will top the Colts in a high-scoring, close contest.
The Detroit Lions select Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford with the first pick in the NFL Draft. The St. Louis Rams select QB Matthew Stafford of Georgia with the #2 overall pick. A team uses a low 1st Round selection on Florida QB Tim Tebow.
Sean Penn wins the Academy Award for Best Actor, “Milk” wins for Best Picture, Meryl Streep wins the Academy Award for her performance in “Doubt”, and Health Ledger wins Best Supporting Actor for “The Dark Knight.”
Note: R4’12 readers are encouraged to share their own 2009 predictions in the comments.
December 31st, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Where’s the love for the Titans, guys? They didn’t go 13-3 on accident or by luck.
December 31st, 2008 at 2:51 pm
off topic, but apparently focus ont he family agrees with an anti mormon group that mormons aer cultists and not christians given they yanked the link to glenn beck they had up on their website to due complaints from this group.
December 31st, 2008 at 2:55 pm
For the most part, good predictions guys.
December 31st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Adam, there is no way the Phillies are finishing third in the NL East in 2009.
December 31st, 2008 at 4:03 pm
PBS has an excellent documentary looking at the lds church. Very educational.
December 31st, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Richard M,
No, it wasn’t by accident. It was by having the easiest schedule in the NFL.
December 31st, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Hey, now, it’s not possible that they had the easiest schedule. They only played Detroit once!
December 31st, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Kristofer,
Are you referring to the documentary previously shown earlier this year? As a member of the church who watched the entire broadcast, I did not consider it excellent, or accurate. It had some good moments, and was well-done as far as aesthetics go, but it was not a true portrayal of the way things are in the LDS church.
BTW – Do you have the list of names I post under here at Race42012 yet? I’m waiting anxiously to see them.
December 31st, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Alex, you are a very funny guy.
December 31st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Martha, you already admitted you have posted under numerous names, and yes I am talking about the same special that aired earlier this year.
December 31st, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I predict that Sarah Palin will begin to make noticeable overtures about running in 2012. She will write a public policy book that is also an autobiography (not unlike Hillary’s book). She will begin to assemble a campaign and fundraising team together composed largely of talent from Fred Thompson’s 2008 campaign including the counsel and support of Jerri and Fred.
I predict that Tim Pawlenty will begin to try to woo moderates and adopt much of the supporters and some of the campaign staff of John McCain.
I predict that Rudy Giuliani will raise his profile once again keeping his options open for a gubernatorial run, senate run, and yes even test the waters for a second primary run in 2012.
I predict that Mike Huckabee will commit some gaffe or minor scandal that will leave some of his evangelicals supporters upset or disenchanted.
I predict that Mitt Romney will relocate to California and will be asked by the GOP to run for Governor there when Arnold’s term expires – he will weigh his options but ultimately not run.
I predict that Ken Blackwell will become RNC chair and move the party to the right, both socially and fiscally.
I predict that Fred Thompson will begin production on a documentary that will out gross “An Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore.
December 31st, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Kristofer,
Thank you for coming as close as you will ever come to admitting that I’ve never posted under any other name than Martha.
December 31st, 2008 at 5:22 pm
JA Pruce,
Too late for part of your prediction on Palin. She already said she would plow through the door. She’s done everything but spell it out in black and white. If she goes with Fred and Jeri, she’s doomed. I think Jeri is angling for something, but we know how much she messed up Fred’s campaign.
Too late on the Huck prediction, too. He already has a truck load of gaffes/scandals that left his honest supporters upset and disenchanted, and which rendered him unelectable. The others who still support him in spite of his ignoble and embarrassing behavior as governor and candidate — well, I can’t tell you what to do about them. They are lost causes.
December 31st, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Kristofer, the reason I am not letting this drop is because you know very well that you gave the impression to everyone here that I post under numerous names so as to give the appearance of many people sharing my opinion. You know that is not true. I’ve never done that, nor would I.
It matters because you have also accused me of being bigoted against evangelicals and of being a liar, when I am unequivocally neither.
I think it should be a minimum standard for FFP’s to tell the truth, and to not lie about those who choose to comment on Race42012.
How about a New Year’s resolution, Kristofer? I know your cute little guy would appreciate having an honest dad. (Honestly in the online world is every bit as important as in real life.)
December 31st, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I have to say I’m far more pessimistic that the economy will respark anytime soon.
- Our debt is becoming unsellable: real interest rates will rise as credit remains tight.
- Protectionism and trade wars are on the horizon as countries around the world get into blame games over what caused the meltdown and how to return to growth.
- Despite the presence of Volcker in the new administration, inflation will rise substantially in the medium term.
- Excessive government interventionism and draconian regulations will keep most market players more tentative than optimistic, each wondering whether the next program will be a benevolent hand-out or an act of expropriation.
- The “wide range of viewpoints” in the Obama administration will make it hamstrung and at times chaotic in decision-making.
We’ll all be canceling our vacations and planning to work under our potential just to survive soon.
Finally, Have a Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2008 at 6:21 pm
The Fairness Doctrine will continue to be an issue raised exclusively by right-wing radio (and maybe Kristofer Lorelli).
December 31st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
The dismal economic collapse brought on by the “bailout” results in inflation levels not seen in decades, while the price of gold reaches levels not seen ever. Obama, rather than allowing the market to do what it does best, prints more money to throw at failing businesses and homeowners, digging us ever deeper in crisis.
GM finally declares bankrupcy, sells off Saab, discontinues the GMC nameplate, and merges Chevy and Pontiac. Realizing that nothing can save a company that hasn’t seen a penny in profit in 20 years, GM sells itself off piece by piece to foreign automakers. Meanwhile, Ford and Chrysler merge with more Federal financial handouts and completely reorganizes. The Mercury brand is discontinued, and Saturn, recently spun off from the GM going-out-of-business sale, joins the new Ford-Chrysler Corp. and absorbs Dodge. Jeep joins with Ford’s SUV branch to become a separate division within the company. Despite early signs of success, Toyota becomes the clear leader in worldwide auto sales and stays in the top position for at least a decade.
Obama gets one vacancy to fill in the Supreme Court. It’s not as a result of the death of an old-timer but due to an unexpected resignation. Obama avoids a showdown with Congress by appointing a moderate, though still pro-choice, minority judge acceptable to most Republicans.
With no party coming close to a majority in Israeli elections, Kadima forms a bare majority coalition government with a much weakened Labor party and several much stronger smaller parties, all in an effort to prevent Likud from returning to power. It doesn’t last the year, and Netanyahu becomes PM by Rosh HaShana.
Steven Harper’s minority Canadian government resigns in January. The weak opposition leftist coalition takes over but quickly loses national support due to its inability to work together combined with a resurgence in Quebec nationalism. The Conservatives retake control as a majority government after new elections are called late in 2009.
Gov. Blaggo goes down, but not without a fight. He names names, including Rezko and others, and the whole thing becomes Obama’s first test scandal. He survives but is politically damaged for the first time.
Nancy Pelosi will suffer her own scandal but still hang on to the Speaker’s job, and Sen. Reid will be asked by the Dem Party to resign as Majority Leader, eventually losing his seat completely in a surprise Nevada election loss. The GOP picks up a few newly-empty seats, especially on the local and state levels, and comes back much stronger than expected in 2010.
Finally, the Yankees win the World Series, the Bruins win the Stanley Cup, the Celtics repeat as NBA champs, and the Eagles win the Super Bowl.
Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Alex
Love the Fred Thompson as Rip Van Winkle!
Adam
Your Health Care reform sounds about right and sure hope we can bog it down.
Longhorns in basketball or baseball or are you after the mythical AP championship in football?
Indians? Are they really that good?
Stubel
Sharks look good. Hope Cubs could do it since the Braves are re-building.
Matt
If the RNC keeps Duncan, I will become an Independent and lool to start a major conservative exit from the GOP to form the BNP, Brand New Party.
Kristofer
Love you comics!
Aron
I actually do think Vick is repentant and hope he rebuilds his life, but he really betrayed a good man in Blank and we love Ryan and Turner.
Kavon
You are the greatest man. Great website. Truly one of the best content, great writers conservative blog.
It would be a shame if Obama wastes the great deterrence job Bush has done in Georgia. That may well be the test.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:14 pm
My Predictions:
- The Blackwell/Benkizer ticket wins the GOP Chairmanship in a tight race that goes to 3 ballots. It ultimately comes down to Mike Duncan and Blackwell/Benkizer. I don’t rule out Duncan retaining his Chairmanship.
- Emboldened by wave of popular support for the strikes in Gaza, Tzip Livni and her allies shock Netanyahu and win more than enough seats to form a government. The Kadima-Labor-Shas-Israel Our Home-Meretz-UTJ governing coalition combines for 70-75 seats. Livni becomes Prime Minister, but is assasinated by Hamas sometime late in 2009.
- Laura Bush becomes a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador late in 2009-early 2010.
- Barack Obama makes several blunders in 2009, with his approval rating hitting a low of 44% in early 2010.
- Al Franken becomes the Junior Senator from Minnesota
- Rod Blagojevich is impeached by the Illinois State Legislature, which is then overturned by the State Supreme Court. A Republican wins the gubernatorial race in 2010.
- Harry Reid is forced to seat Roland Burris, one of many decisions which cause him to be removed as Senate Majority Leader in 2009. He loses his Senate seat in 2010.
- In a move to bolster his chances in 2010, Governor David Patterson appoints Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to be Hillary Clinton’s replacement in the Senate. Republicans will attempt to lure former Senate candidate Bernadette Castro to run against Brown in 2010.
- Yulia Tymoshenko is elected President of Ukraine; Volodomyr Lytvn becomes the new Prime Minister.
- Russian President Medvedev resigns his post and Putin is appointed to fill out the remainder of his term. He is then elected to new 6-year term in 2012.
- Hugo Chavez is thrown out of office in a bloodless coup by a coalition comprised of the country’s military and opposition leaders.
- Fidel Castro dies.
- Sarah Palin ushers in groundbreaking health-care reform in Alaska and maintains a budget surplus even in the face of $20-$40 oil on her way to re-election.
- Looking farther ahead: Sarah Palin WILL run for President in 2012, Mike Huckabee will NOT. The price of oil remains in a trading range of $20-$45/barrell. Barack Obama’s first appointment to the Supreme Court is a Hispanic woman (Hillary Clinton is his second). Republicans win 5 Senate seats and 18 House seats in 2010. They re-take the House in 2012.
- Republicans will nominate……Sarah Palin and Bob McDonnell in 2012.
January 1st, 2009 at 12:38 am
[...] The following predictions are posted at Race42012: [...]
January 1st, 2009 at 1:02 am
prediction: solid middle and upper middle class republicans finally stop listening to the likes of lightweights like Larry Kudlow for investment advice, after 20 years of listening to him they are finally out of money……
hope: Larry Kudlow stops pretending to be a “free market” guy and joins the socialist party of america
January 1st, 2009 at 7:23 am
The only safe prediction to make is that 99% of Gamecock’s and JA Pruce’s predictions will be 100% wrong.
Happy New Years guys. I wish we could fast forward to 2011 and get on with the Romney/Obama race of the century.
January 1st, 2009 at 7:47 am
LOL at Heath’s first line. Dare you doubt the wisdom of Cockstradamus?
January 1st, 2009 at 9:39 am
“Alex Knepper will write lots of brilliant things. Lots and lots of brilliant things.”
When will that start? Your second sentence is not a sentence.
January 1st, 2009 at 9:43 am
I am also waiting for that to start Illinoisguy.
January 1st, 2009 at 11:06 am
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
New year and old news on the Gaza front: Der Spiegel reports that the IDF succeeded in killing a top Hamas leader — and Hamas vows revenge! Does anyone have any idea how to make sense from such nonsense? Hamas to Israelis/Jews/Zionists/Americans: Do nothing and we will kill you. Return fire and we will kill you more (?!).
Spiegel also reports that the melting ice (which is actually increasing, but let’s not get lost in the weeds of details) is causing global warming to slow down, “scientists baffled.” Actually, the truth is that the global warming alarmists are the only acknowledged “scientists,” and they’re finding it increasingly difficult to keep control of their narrative.
Meanwhile, the WSJ reports that health care spending on alternative medicine — the cures whose medical efficacy cannot be scientifically demonstrated — is booming. Even the federal government has a department dedicated to promoting alternative care on the taxpayers’ dime. We are thus to conclude that government has consistently raised the cost of health care and health insurance — and our incoming Dem overlords will fix the problem by having government take over the rest of health care.
I think I need some aroma therapy…
January 1st, 2009 at 12:38 pm
And what’s the top story in the upper left hand corner on Drudge this morning?
Government aid could save U.S. newspapers, spark debate
January 1st, 2009 at 1:31 pm
2009: the build up to 2010
rudy giuliani begins to take clear steps to run for gov. of new york
gov. schwarzenegger begins to build a campaign to challenge senator barbara boxer
gov. romney will be recruited to run for governor of california
gov. huckabee’s show will be canceled by years end
gov. bobby jindal will confirm his reelection plans, making a presidential run in ’12 impossible
gov. palin will run for another term as governor and not challenge for the senate in 2010
sen. john thune and gov. mark sanford will emerge as major voices of opposition to obama
tim pawlenty and charlie crist will begin courting the mccain/giuliani teams of 08
jeb bush will confirm his senate run, all while constructing a national infrastructure for a possible ’12 run and a guaranteed ’16 run for president
david petraeus will announce his retirement after a very public disagreement with president obama
January 1st, 2009 at 10:32 pm
I’ll generally go off of Adam Graham’s predictions here…
“Caroline Kennedy will not be the next Senator from New York.” Very true… Andrew Cuomo will be appointed. Caroline Kennedy will be appointed by Pres. Obama to some very low-level post as a kickback for the Kennedys endorsing him in the Democratic primary, though not too high of a position since shes perceived as unqualified.
“The RNC Chairman’s race will be won through a series of backroom deals and will be decided on the 4th ballot. In a surprise compromise, Mike Duncan will be elected General Chairman (day to day leader of the GOP) and Michael Steele will be the National Chairman (public face of the party.)” I’m less skeptical on this thing… though I think Duncan will garner more votes than many would think or like him to get… Steele will win in a triumph of change in the party over the status quo that Duncan represents.
“Rob Blagojevich will be gone from office by the 1st of April.” I’d say by March.
“Bob McConnell will be elected Governor of Virginia.” Defnitely. For the past 30 or so years, the Governor of VA is from the opposite paty than that of the President. McConnell wins 55-45 over Jerry Moran.
“Michael Bloomberg will be re-elected Mayor of New York, proving you don’t need a political party to have a political machine.” Dont doubt this.
“The Stimulus Package will pass Congress and one week after it’s passed, it will be discovered that the bill includes regulations to abolish the BCS system and require college football to have a playoff.” Could happen, but I think the stimulus package will initially be somewhat popular, but its popularity will decline over the course of the year, dropping Pres. Obama’s approvals from 75% to 55% and driving the Democratic Congress’ approval ratings to Nancy Pelosi’s and Harry Reid’s immediate family only
“The unemployment rate will hit 9% by New Years day, 2010.” True, I’d say higher (though I hope it goes back down) than 9%… 9.5%
“The Cabinet appointee who will face the most scrutiny: Eric Holder.” True. But he still gets nominated by a largely party-line vote in the Senate.
“There will be no Senate vote on the Freedom of Choice Act or on the Employer’s Free Choice Act.” I think one of those two will be voted in, since the Dems and Obama will think they have won enough public support froman initially popular stimulus package.
“The Obama White House will blunder with Health Care reform, trying to move too quickly and too fast to get something through, but will instead force the bill into the congressional meat grinder. By the end of the year, health care reform will still be in Congress and will be three times the length of whatever legislation Obama originally submitted.” Dont necessarily see this happening.
“Benjamin Netanyahu will be elected Prime Minister of Israel and will be a thorn in the side of Secretary of State Clinton.” Don’t know.
“The Minnesota Vikings defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 26-23 to win the Super Bowl.” Wow, this one is gonna be off. Colts in the Super Bowl perhaps, but the Vikings don’t get past the first round IMO. Even though I’m a Ravens fan, I say the Giants defeat the Steelers in the Super Bowl 21-17.
“The Texas Longhorns win the NCAA Championship.” Tarheels win the NCAA Basketball Title. Florida Gators win NCAA Football Title.
“The Phillies will finish 3rd in the NL East, while the D-Rays win the Wild Card, The Red Sox will not make the playoffs and the World Series will come down to the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets. Indians in 6.” The Yankees and RedSox battle in the ALCS, with Boston coming out on top. They lose to the NL Champipn Cubs. It’s bound to happen, even though I’ll be rooting for the RedSox in such a WS.
“Heath Ledger will win Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker. The Dark Knight will win a couple minor Oscars, but will not take home an award for Best Picture or Best Director.” Probably. Sean Penn’s stupid movie will probably win. Do hope that Iron Man and Robert Downey Jr. win something there though.
“G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra will bomb so bad that there will be no sequel.” Haha.
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine: will deal a death blow to the X-Men franchise.” Perhaps.
“Star Trek will be a surprisingly successful reboot that will revive the Trek Franchise and earn $250 million at the box office.” Maybe.
“Obama’s approval rating by the end of the year: 46%” I’d say just above 50%- 52% I think.
January 1st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
PREDICTION AND MESSAGE TO EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS:
When counting the electoral votes, either Congress finds by 1/8/09 that Obama, not being an Article II “natural born citizen”, fails to qualify as President whereupon Biden becomes the full fledged President under 3 USC 19 (free to pick his own VP such as Hillary) or thereafter defers to the Supreme Court to enjoin Obama’s inauguration with Biden becoming only Acting President under the 20th Amendment until a new President is duly determined.
The preferable choice, at least for the Democrats, should seem obvious.
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:47 am
Domestic:
Unemployment will top 8.5% by the end of the year.
Paterson will appoint a caretaker Senator in former Governor Mario Cuomo to avoid the public/private battle between Cuomo and Kennedy. The caretaker Senator will unexpectedly announce that they will run for reelection for 2010, prompting a primary challenge from Caroline Kennedy.
Gingrich will begin to openly flirt with a bid for the Presidency in 2012, including submitting the
Ken Blackwell edges out Mike Duncan to become Republican party chairman after first round third and fifth choices (Steele and Saltsman) throw their support solidly behind Blackwell. Steele returns to Maryland and begins preparation for 2010, by years end he will announce for Governor.
The newspaper industry asks for a bailout as numbers continue to dwindle as more people get their news from the internet with Rupert Murdoch and the NY Times editorial board appearing before a Congressional committee.
Wild Prediction: The Baltimore Ravens will battle their way through the post-season with rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, surprising everyone, and take on the Giants in a close Superbowl repeat matchup.
Chrysler will begin to falter and instead of an equal merger, will be purchased by Ford. GMC will discontinue a few brands and cut corners, but will still falter despite the bailout.
A currently undetermined and unexpected industry will ask for a bailout as well.
As impeachment continues to loom, Rod Blagojevich will resign on his own terms in February with the condition that Burris is accepted into the Senate. Quietly at years end, Obama will pardon Blagojevich. Reid will continue as Majority Leader through 2009.
Heath Ledger will win Best Supporting Actor posthumously, his father and ex-wife will fight over who gets to accept the award.
Foreign Policy:
A vote of no confidence will be held in the Conservative government in Canada and a new election will be held. Conservatives will win by larger margins and capture a majority government.
Obama will continue Bush’s policies in Iraq.
Cameron will become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom with a majority Conservative government.
Israel will perform surgical strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities after the UN fails to act. Obama will try to push for a diplomatic end calling for multi-party talks, Israel will prefer action. Full scale war will be looming by years end.
Medvedev will take overt steps to minimize Putin’s power and continue to sabre rattle. By years end, two scale war with Ukraine and Georgia on the one side and Russia on the other will be looming. Obama will try to remain neutral and call for peace talks.
Gates will resign as Secretary of Defense towards the middle of the year in opposition to Obama’s failed policies involving Iran and Russia. Gates will be given a gobs of money to write a memoir entitled, “The Hopeful Presidents.” The book will discuss the flaws in foreign policy views of both Obama and Bush in one felt swoop. Gates will be a surprising vote getter at CPAC’s Presidential Preference Poll.
Summary: Obama’s approval rating will drop to about 48-50% by years end. It will be in the mid-fifties by June. Frontrunners for 2012 by years end will include Gingrich, Palin, Romney, and Gates.
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Wrong it’s already been decided that a co-star will accept Heath’s award.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
*Isaiah 17:1 will be fulffilled
*The Gog-Magog war of ezekiel 38-39 will occur, yet people will still deny the existence of God
*Barrack Obama will befriend the anti-Christ
*All forms of abortion will be made legal by congress, and those laws will be subsequently ruled unconstitutional by the supreme court
*A bunch of other things will happen that will seem very little compared to everything else
*The rapture will happen during the feast days this fall, people that don’t know what i’m talking about will still have no idea
*I will be made fun of for my predictions
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Rep. Ron Paul runs for president again in 2012, he will get more votes this time around.
Jeb Bush becomes U.S. Senator in 2010
President Obama will suprise many neocons when he looks tougher on terrorism than President Bush did.
Obama will select John Edwards (yes, Edwards will come back) to the Supreme Court.
Virginia turns purple with the win of Bob McDonnell
Ukraine/Georgia and the other former USSR republics will be pushed closer to war with Russia.
China’s economy hits a speed bump, demands that the U.S pay the bad debts they are owed. Tax rates go up as a result.
Putin changes the Russian Federation Constituion declaring himself president for life.
Cameron becomes Prime Minister.
Sen. Mark Warner becomes very popular threatens Hillary Clinton’s 2016 (if Obama wins) chances.
Clinton becomes the most powerful Sec. of State since Kissinger.
Bob Dole and John McCain join forces and help bring about changes to the Veterans of Forigen wars.
McCain wins in 2010, but this will be his last term in office.
Palin runs for president in 2012.
UAE will be more of a major player in international affairs.
Canada once agian goes Liberal.
Prince William will become King of the United Kingdom in 2012.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 pm
#34… do the Ravens beat the Giants in the Super Bowl then? As a Ravens fan, I’d like to know… haha… rematch of SB 35, huh?
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:01 am
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