Predictions for 2009

My guesses for 2009 are as good as any others I've read.

1. Media boosterism of Obama will continue through 2009. All positive developments, economic or otherwise, will be attibuted to Obama. Any negative news will be blamed on a Bush hangover and "obstructionist Republicans" in congress.
2. Stories of corruption and waste resulting from Obama's stimulus policies will filter out through the right-wing bloggosphere and Fox News, but will largely be ignored by the MSM.
3. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will insult Barack Obama on more than one occasion. Ahmadinejad will "step down" by year end.
4. The S&P 500 will end the year 10% to 15% higher
5. Benjamin Netanyahu will be elected Prime Minister of Israel
6. Obama will pass deep cuts in U.S. Defense budget
7. Americans will reject high-priced, fuel-efficient vehicles. Congress will come to the rescue with substantial rebates for green buyers and boost the Federal tax on gasoline
8. The U.S. auto industry will continue to flounder. The government will chip in another $50B to keep it (the UAW) afloat.
9. An assassination attempt on Obama will fail. Right wing bloggers and Fox News will be blamed by the media.
10. President Hamid Karzai will be assassinated
11. Dmitry Medvedev will step down, Vladimir Putin will retake the reins.
12. Government's share of the economy will exceed 25 percent gdp
13. McCain and Obama will collaborate to pass a "comprehensive immigation" bill.
14. Steve Jobs dies from cancer
15. Congress will pass a massive federal tax increase on ammunition
16. Terrorists will sink 2-3 cruise ships via suicide bombers in high speedboats
17. At least one Democrat committee chair will give up his seat under charges of corruption
18. Draconian green policies (Cap and Trade) will be postponed after Obama's economic team takes a sober look at the potential economic fallout
19. Obama will slow or halt the U.S. pullout from Iraq as a resurrented Al Qaida and Mahdi Army launch attacks against Iraqi government forces
20. 2009 tempertures will be below average...again