Political Predictions for 2007

Unlike Nostradamas, I am not claiming to predict events that will occur hundreds of years after I die. In fact, I cannot even predict what is going to happen next year. What I can do, however, is offer my predictions of what is going to occur this year in American politics. Although I may be dabbling in dark magic, it is my hope my predictions may shed light into the smoky realm of American politics.

1. Troop withdrawal will begin before the end of 2007.

This prediction is based on common sense. Although President Bush has stated the occupation of Iraq will last beyond his term, it is unlikely GOP leaders from the House and the Senate will allow this to occur.

Republicans in Congress know if a large number of troops still remain in Iraq close to the 2008 election, it will breed disaster for the GOP. The Democrats will strengthen their majority status in both chambers and have a solid shot at the White House if a significant number of troops remain in Iraq through November of next year.

President Bush may consider himself to be the decision maker in Iraq policy, but those who control the purse strings will not allow Bush’s disaster to continue into the election season.

2. A “Dark Horse” presidential candidate will covertly rise through the ranks of either the Democratic or Republican Party.

The media are enamored with Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, but things change awfully quickly in politics.

I am not saying the current front-runners will fall into obscurity in the coming months (hardly likely considering Clinton and Romney’s million dollar war chests), but a fresh name will pop up unexpectedly.

We must remember that former President Bill Clinton was an unknown Arkansas governor during this phase of the campaign in 1991. So, who will the shadow candidate be that shakes up the presidential race? We will see in the coming months.

3. The romantic relationship between the media and Barack Obama will go stale.

Obama is a novice in national politics. His views on a wide variety of political topics are less than concrete.

Once Obama is forced to spell out his true beliefs, the media will look for a fresh face that sounds less like a politician and more like a Barack Obama before he ran for the White House.

Obama has the skill and charm to sound like a veteran politician, while still instilling hope in millions of Americans; however, I don’t think the one-term senator has the ability to play both sides of game for the next 21 months.

4. President Bush’s approval rating will not rise above 50 percent.

The most recent Harris Interactive Poll shows 32 percent of the American people rate Bush’s job performance as either “excellent” or “good.”

According to Polling Report.com, this number has changed little since November of 2006. Pending another terrorist attack and/or an immediate troop withdraw (highly unlikely), President Bush will continue to be supported by only a minority of Americans.

If more American troops perish in the sands of Iraq, gas prices increase over the summer months or the economy takes a downturn, it is likely President Bush’s approval ratings may dip even lower. If that occurs, President Bush will become as unpopular as Richard Nixon.

5. President Bush and the U.S. Congress will work together to pass a bill acknowledging global warming and enact genuine solutions for the problem.

This prediction may be wishful thinking; however, I feel President Bush knows he needs to ensure a positive legacy to follow his presidency.

By acknowledging global warming and pushing for policies that combat climate change, Bush could dramatically change his legacy from a president who took his country into a poorly planned war and occupation to a Teddy Roosevelt steward.

Not only can Bush alter his legacy, but he can also steal the environmental issue from the Democrats. 

Will the Democrats allow Bush to obtain his new pro-environmental moniker this late in his presidency? I think so, because it not only addresses a concern held by many Democrats, but it also allows the Democratically held Congress to take credit for the accomplishment.

Although I have nowhere near Nostradamus’ ability to predict events hundreds of years from now, I do feel I have the ability to at least predict political events that will happen months from now.

If I am wrong, so be it. But if I am right…I may have found my true calling not as a columnist, but as a clairvoyant.