This being my last column of the year, I’d like to look ahead and attempt to forecast the major events in politics, domestic and foreign affairs, and the economy during 2010.
1. The 2010 mid-term Congressional elections will result in:A) Democrats losing a handful of seats in the House and Senate but still maintaining a strong hold on each chamberB) Democrats losing a significant amount of seats and barely maintaining control of each chamberC) Republicans winning control of the House and Democrats maintaining control of the Senate.D) Republicans winning control of both chambers
2. In November 2010, Texas will elect as its governor:A) Kay Bailey HutchisonB) Rick PerryC) Bill WhiteD) Someone else
3. At the end of 2010, President Obama’s job-approval-rating, currently at around 50%, will be:A) at or above 60%B) around 55%C) about where it is nowD) less than 50%
4. At the end of 2010, polls will show that the leading contender for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination will be:A) Glen BeckB) Mike HuckabeeC) Sarah PalinD) Mitt Romney
5. The Health Care bill currently being debated by Congress will be:A) signed into law by the president and will contain a public optionB) signed into law but without a public option.C) defeated in Congress because the final bill contained a public optionD) defeated in Congress but the final bill did not contain a public option
6. Which of the following will leave the Obama administration in 2010?A) Hillary ClintonB) Bob GatesC) Tim GeithnerD) none of the above
7. As a result of the extra 30,000 troops being sent to Afghanistan, the status of the war at the end of 2010 will be:A) much improved for Allied forces with the extra troops having a similar effect to the “surge” in Iraq.B) somewhat improved, but with the Taliban stubbornly continuing its insurgencyC) basically what it is today: a stalemateD) deteriorating with the Taliban gaining strength as the Afghan population resent what they perceive to be the American occupation of their country
8. At the end of 2010, the U.S. unemployment rate, currently, at 10%, will be:A) above 11%B) between 10%-11C) between 9%-10%D) Under 9%
9. At the end of 2010, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, currently at around 10,400, will be:A) above 12,000B) between 11,000-12,000C) basically where it is nowD) under 10,000
10: Which of the following will occur in the Middle-East in 2010?A) Israel bombs Iranian nuclear facilities B) Israel and the Palestinians sign a formal peace agreementC) both of the aboveD) neither of the above
My predictions are as follows. See you in 2010.
1) B; 2) B; 3) D;4) D; 5) A; 6) D; 7) B; 8) C; 9) A; 10) D
Nathan Mitzner is a junior risk management insurance major. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].
