1. A coalition of combined NATO member forces will destroy Iran’s nuclear capability against the wishes of the U.N. Security counsel, who in private supports the action. Iran will respond by launching conventional missile attacks against Israel, convincing the U.S. Congress to sell the F-22 Raptor to the Israelis and Aussies. Iraq provides logistical assistance in the attack. Confidence = 8
Yet to be determined.
2. Congressman John Murtha is indicted on corruption charges after having failed to insulate himself from federal prosecution by becoming a darling of the anti-war Left. Murtha and other Democrats label the indictment as a payback against an outspoken critic of the war, but the Feds have an air-tight case. Confidence = 8
Yet to be determined, though not very likely to occur.
3. Justice Samuel Alito is confirmed with 62 yes-votes to the Supreme Court. Riots and Sit-ins are conducted throughout the Alito hearings, with Democrats in Congress meeting with the protesters on a nightly basis, each looking to bolster their image with the nut-bag Left. Confidence = 9+
Alito confirmed with 58 votes.
4. Congressman Tom Delay is cleared of all charges and resumes his place as Majority leader after a nasty public battle with Congressman Pence for the role. Speaker Denny Hastert; damaged after the Abramoff scandals considers retiring from public life. Democrats make Delay’s return the centerpiece of their 2006 election campaigns. Confidence = 7+
RE: DeLay - Yet to be determined
RE: Hastert - Not very likely to occur.
5. Congress retroactively rolls back the Alternative Minimum Tax, Passes the extended Patriot Act, and Passes a decent Illegal Immigration Bill with VP Dick Cheney providing the swing vote on two of the three issues. Confidence = 8+
Yet to be determined.
6. President Bush addresses the Iraqi Parliament IN PERSON in Iraq, and is seen as the individual to quell a rising desire among some for an Iraqi civil war. Bush’s approval rating reaches above 60% and remains so through the 2006 elections. Confidence = 8
Yet to be determined.
7. The Republican Senate falls one vote shy of a veto-proof majority after upset wins in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, and the special election in Nevada to replace Senator Harry Reid, who resigned in disgrace over the Abramoff debacle. Confidence = 7
Yet to be determined.
Reid resignation, (a/c "Abramoff debacle"), not very likely to occur.
8. The Republican Congress passes authorization for drilling in ANWR, sparking violent protests and liberal threats of violence against oil workers in Alaska who work on the project. Multiple environmental impact lawsuits are launched in a last-ditch attempt to prevent drilling from taking place. Confidence = 8+
Yet to be determined.
9. The F-22 Raptor sees combat over the skies of Iran and Syria clearing the skies for coalition aircraft protecting the Iraqi borders. The U.S.S. Ronald Reagan becomes a fixture in the Persian Gulf after Al Qaeda declares war against the Saudi Royal Family. In exchange for NATO protection, the price of crude oil falls below $30 per gallon. The U.S. Economy explodes, protecting Conservative seats in Congress and providing a few upsets as well. Confidence = 7
USS Ronald Reagan currently in Persian Gulf; Al Qaeda attack on Saudi oil facility last month.
The rest: Yet to be determined.
10. President Bush announces his agenda for his final two years in Washington will be to finally replace the current U.S. Tax code with a simpler, more private process. Flat tax and VAT are discussed, with a modified Flat tax becoming the proposed plan presented to Congress. Confidence = 7
Yet to be determined.
11. Republicans are going to PICK UP SEATS in the November elections. We are not going to lose the House, nor are we going to lose the Senate. In fact, in the Senate, we might actually gain a 60 seat majority.
Yet to be determined.
PD...Since you cover immigration in Prognostication #5 could you provide your definition of "a decent Illegal Immigration Bill"?
Yeah, Bush's bill. That is the best one you are going to get in this political climate.