CNN

ACORN voter fraud will lead to indictments in 2009!

The honeymoon will be over!

PEBO will get a belated vetting as Chicago political pollution continues to foul the air!

And "we the people" will insist on representation with an authentic moral core!

The new mantra will be: Enough of greedy, cheating, prevaricating, and manipulating obfuscators who have hijacked power for personal gain.

Big Story – Obama's ability or inability to start connecting the current vast and growing ends-means disconnects in US Domestic and International Policy. That will be the key determinant on a successful Presidency and we should have a good read on that by year's end. I am confident he can be successful, but nothing is inevitable until it happens as History teaches us above all.

catmom: Excuse me! but where was your head in the 1990's? Bill Clinton destroyed himself!!

All I can say is good luck, and in reality it will take way longer than 2009 to clean up the mess that Bush left behind. What a legacy!

@Shaz

You like everybody else here calling other people "idiots" for posting their opinions, should learn one thing: name calling does not hurt people, flying shoes do!!!!!

Some of your people need to get a sense of humor and CNN should do a better job at filtering the name calling and bigotry.

Griff- Wrote
CNN's last comment… Opra Wintery… You mentioned John McCain .. So even CNN lie… Opra Wintery would never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barack Obama??? Opra WIntery… Same Crap! You either get your fact right, or cut the Crap Glorifying Idiot Obama…. Stop all this programing of the Public….. You are not around to Brain Wash CNN…

You sound like a RETARD maybe you should blogging in Nickelodeon Site. Trust me he's not alone...... There are a ton of idiots on this site. There should be Idiot screen before you are allowed to blog.
Knowledge- I couldnt agree with you more!!

Mike Syracuse n.y.: In reference to #6 on your list I am already sporting my bumper sticker which reads,"Don't blame me I voted McCain!! I thought I would catch alot of heck for it but mostly it's a toot of a horn and the thumbs up!

IN 2009...........

The far-right-hate-mongers will continue to spew hate, lies, fear and division!

The NORMAL people will continue to give HOPE, UNITY & PEACE a chance!

President OBAMA WILL begin to SOLVE SOME of the BUSH DISASTER!

OUR ECONOMY WILL SLOWLY START TO MAKE A RECOVERY!

AMERICANS WILL START TO EMBRACE .........HOPE......... AND FLUSH ........FEAR DOWN THE TOILET WHERE IT BELONGS!!

HOPE WON...........HOPE WON.............HOPE WON.........YES WE CAN!

AND...........YES.............WE........WILL!

Our sales will skyrocket.

I'm with "facts are facts" on this one. The hatred I've been seeing on here by Obama haters is disgusting.

I predict Rush will choke on his own cigar while trying to remove it from his own orfice.Lmao

It's amazing to me that the Bush bas.hers who have been doing so for the last eight years suddenly have amnesia!! Shouldn't be bit.chin about a sliver of wood in someone else's eye when you have a LOG in your own!!

I believe George Soros has paid for the media to stop the economic bad news on January 21rst. He created the crisis, now he will stop it so that he can say he was right.

@Proud American

You prove my earlier point. You have no happiness and you are full of hate. What a loser.

My first prediction... I couldn't have said it better myself.

Tim,

I will look back in fondness when bush is gone forever and ever. He can't be gone soon enough and once and fore all!

There an article on Foxx new reporting that Idiots around the world are upset and are planning to take Republicans to court for refering to themselves as Idiots. According to the article the Idiots claim that they have never been as stupid as Republicans and want them and other Americans to stop calling Republicans Idiots.
Wow just when Republican thought things for them couldn't get any worse.
lolololololololololololol

To: Texas Teacher

You should NOT be any kind of a teacher,your information is constantly wrong,and extremely bias.Are you still involved with that little boy?

Marc My data is spot on accurate - and No, I did not get it from Rush; I got it from the GAO This information is public record. Instead of reacting like an uninforned liberal Dem and an Obamabot from Disneyworld by just disagreeing with no factual basis when facts do not suit your story, do your homework next time

comment of the Watcher,

You obviously are blind as during bush's years in offfice we've had such wonderful crooks and buddies of his named, Delay, Delong, Stevens, Cunningham, Libby, Ney and so many others. I had a list of 20, but misplaced them. Some are doing time right now!
Just think we only have 19 days and then once out of office they can make the indictments against Rove,Cheney and bush proceed? They have tried to indict, but not while a president is sitting. I can't see anything, but wrong in bush's 8 years in office. I can't find one thing that he's lied about that is positive. For that fact I can't find anything he didn't lie about that has brought any good to America. So many lives lost for nothing!

My 2009 predictions are a more failed economy, more welfare, higher taxes for working Americans,higher unemployment, after all who wants to work and be taxed to death when they can sit back and let BO take care of them, and all the Obama collector plates, coins, handbags and Tee Shirts we can stand.

Relax Barry O, "CNN's political analysts and contributors," as well as any press organization with the letter "C" in it, will cover your back and do everything they can to make you look good!

PRAVDA LIVES!

I sure am glad the Democrats elected someone with a lot of experience,and knowledge,to get us through these trying times.Oh,that's right ,Joe is the guy with all of the foreign affairs knowledge,we should all feel comfortable now.

That the Blago scandal uncovers much more than anyone ever anticipated, and that it does entail Obama (not that the press would ever report on it though). That all the idiots who post on here about Bush and Cheney be tried for war crimes are finally forced to shut up because they will finally be shown that their claims were nothing but lefty code pink hot air.

And that the world is not going to be a safer place, unfortunately. All these freaks who think that on January 20th all of America's enemies will throw down their guns and join in a grand chorus of "Kum-ba-yah" just show the level of their delusion. No, unfortunately our enemies will see our new found weakness and seize upon it. Just look at things now, people are stepping up attacks knowing the US won't do anything about it. But then hey, our own VP to be, Mr. Gird Our Loins, already told us this would be happening.

And the US will face more economic downturns as more and more people/companies/whomever see that the government has become one gigantic enabler, and will come to Washington with hands outstretched, gimme gimme gimmie. This unfortunately will continue until 2010, when the ineffective Democrat Congress is voted out, then America can start re-building.

It is hard to believe America will survive the next few years intact after reading some of the posts on these and other blogs. Why the hate for someone who hasn't taken office yet?

You people better start recognizing where your country ranks world wide on all major issues. You are a whisker from being below many third world countries so it just might be worth everyone's while to put the hate aside and try working together because you just might not survive a full blown depression.

my prediction...

more scandals...

more greed and violence from the super rich...

more violence from the super poor...

more blame will be placed on the average American, and NO blame for the REAL perpetrators...the people will war against one another while the super elite benefits on it and laughs at us.

i figure we deserve it for our ignorance...

By the end of this year, people will look back with fondness on the Bush years

We will find other inteligent life in space.

I'll be back.

@Robin, well said.
@Ken, comparing the right ring to the threat posed to American by Muslim terrorists. Disgusting beyond belief.
@knowledge, I thought you said you were 'educated'. When are you and others going to get it through your thick skulls that those who oppose Obama are not racists. The white vote was split close to 50/50, so how can whites be opposed to Obama based on race? However the 95% of blacks who voted for him have some explaining to do.
Predictions for 2009:
1.Liberals will continue to be tolerant of all, unless you are Republican.
2. Obama will break most of his promises, and liberals will find some way to blame Bush.
3. Proud American will continue his posts that show he is anything but.
4. Republicans will continue to be called 'haters' by liberal bloggers who will go on to spew hatred of their own without a clue as to how hypocritical they are
5. Obama supporters on this blog who elected him to bring America together will do their best to continue to drive America apart by their hate filled posts.
6. One year from now, McCain supporters will be able to say 'I told you so.'

Hey "Get Real", I heard Obama yesterday say that this would be a great year for Democrats and Americans. I'm not quite sure if he meant that Republicans aren't Americans or if Republicans would have a bad year, but either way it is devisive and us versus them.

You would never hear President Bush say such a thing, so don't lecture about inclusiveness.

Larry of Boston – Great data you brought up... where did you get it? Rush Limbaugh perhaps? FYI, you are soooooo wrong! And be honest, if the PEOTUS (and soon to be POTUS) will be working in a 7-eleven in four years, where do you honestly expect to be by then. Please no 'far much better than him' delusional replies...
Irritated in FL – Aren't you the one that claims to be a 'Democrat'? We're all seeing how democrat you are...
To everybody else, including the 'haters/'we will all be ***** but at least I will be all to say I told you so' that I didn't named, there's only a Big Story expected for the next year, one that EVERYBODY should pray to happen: 'The ECONOMY is recovering.'
It wouldn't be easy, mistakes will be made and perhaps even some (stupid) political sabotage will appear too, but if Barack Obama manages to do at least that, won't we all be in a better situation than today?

I think he will do a great Job, as commander in chief.

Houston, Texas

For all of you who are praying for Obama, did any of you pray for Bush?

Reading some of these post make you really feel sad for America. To have lived through the past eight years and not realize that this country went way off track is deliberately burying your heads in the sand.
To read the number of post deriding Obama is ridiculous. Where the heck have you people been? George Bush gets to walk away not accepting any responsibility or showing much remorse over his poor leadership but you people whine about Obama. Get real and get over it. Just shut up and give Obama at least a chance to see what he can do. Right now it can't be any worse than Bush. Of course that is the real problem. Heaven forbid should Obama, a funny named bi racial man come behind George Bush and do something good for the country. Hmmm... seems similar to Bill Clinton where Republicans spent 8 years and 80 million dollars trying to destroy him. Guess what, Obama is a lot smarter than that. Don't forget America first, if Obama fails, so does our country.

To Irritated in florida..
I think the one on crack is you my friend.Lighten up.In 18 days Obama will be my,yours and everybody's president.That is a reason to celebrate!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY.
God bless!

Obama hasn't even taken office yet and he has already changed his mind on erasing Bush's tax cuts and ending the war. I bet his health care ideas are the next fantasy. I believe Obama got elected because he filled the voters ears with lies and unrealistic hopes. I for one will be rooting for Obama to be the best president in U.S. history, but being a realist tells me be prepared for a lot of lies uncovered.

Obama was over-hyped, under-scrutinized, he over-promised and will under-deliver.

Hillary is going to fall flat on her faux diplomatic face, and both Clintons will be once again be embroiled in financial scandals, leading to her ouster.

Take a look at the nit wits in congress. They're the ones who have goofed everything up. They spend the money and write the laws.
There have always been problems and always will be. Some presidents just ignored them and let them get worse. WJC. No backbone or guts. Thought more about his so called legacy than protecting the country.
Pelozi has already warned BHO. She is the boss and he better not interfer.
And yes, it was a heck of a lot worse during Jimmys term than now.
If you weren't an adult during that time you would'nt understand.

is the same as Texas Teacher and Proud American. Always on the money and provide reality checks. For Larry, Janey, Griff, Watcher, Inuk, and all of you who constantly bash Obama and spew your racist AND OR hate filled rhetoric, I predict that you will not do anything differently and remain simply nasty. You will continue to lie or invent / reframe issuess against the PE because you just cannot move on from the fact that Obama is our next president. It saddens me that YOU are still out there and cannot find it in your hearts and minds to support him and this country first before being so vile.

Final prediction: With or without YOU we (YES, WE) will begin to experience positive movement out of and away from the various messes (economy, wars, gitmo, etc.) and political scandals we are experiencing. Our new President will set the tone.

Happy New Year!

I predict that 75% of the posts on the ticker will have numerous misspellings and grammatical errors, while the authors of those posts are calling other people "idiots".

Ok, stop all the comments about "hafe comments". We knew Bush was an incompentent rube, they think a black man is an insult to the White House, they think the half-wit is the next goddess and we see her as someone with feet of clay and places her personal ambition above the needs of her family.

But to all on both side stop the whining about hate comments.

Your wasting space to bash 'em back!

Franky,

My neighbor's house is worth the money, the problem is once their rate changed there was no way for them to afford the monthly payment. Everyone has the right to own a home, but they need to buy one they can afford, with a proper down payment, at a fixed interest rate.

i predict that progressives will be thrown under the bus for evangelicals and right wingers.

Anti-Obamabot January 2nd, 2009 11:55 am ET

Proud American – you are a disgrace to America. I suppose you are one of the loser's who claim to be an African American
___________________________________________________
???? Just a concern American what difference does race make? Your a loser and I don't care what color you are. Good Bye Republicans and God Bless America.

For the Repubs.... I predict that they will do everything in their power to stymie that process! Just as they always have...

For all of you praying for Obama, (don't get me wrong, I pray)...

Did any of you pray for President Bush?

"Hard to predict, with many priorities facing Obama. It would be nice
and a big story, if Obama could start cleaning up corruption, oh, and that applies to CONGRESS!"

Remember the separation of powers. It is not the ability or the duty of the President to clean up Congress.

It's your job. It's my job. The Legislative branch needs to be cleaned up by the people. If you set the precedent for the Executive to go and root out corruption in the Legislative branch, then a tyrant can easily use that to browbeat the Legislative into going along with him, making the Congress nothing more then the mouthpiece for a dictator.

richard rohde = Oh God who let this Idiot out of the basement??

It's not that I don't know how to spell, it's apparently that I don't know how to proof-read.

I predict that the Republican party will discover that the earth is round, orbits the sun, and is about 4.5 billion years old.

Nah, scratch that last one, they're not ready for that kind of revelation yet.

The big story of 2009 will be Obama and his administration facing the damage of the last 8 years... and hopefully making some head way in digging us out of this monstrous hole Bush/Cheney have dug us into!

As well, I hazard a guess that the support of the whole world will be phenomenal!

Janey= Typical hatefull Republican with the intelligence of a grapefruit.
When Republicans lose and have nothing to offer they attack. It's not my fault that your village leader is an Idiot who lacks vision, a plan and have ran this country into the ground. Starting on Jan 20th I will get my first night sleep in 8 years knowing we have a capable leader in the White House. You Idiot Republicans are the reason Americans have lost respect at home and aboard. Happy New Year IDIOT

THE REPUBLICANS ARE JUST A LITTLE SCARED, BECAUSE THEY KNOW IN 2009 IF OBAMA SUCCEEDS!!!! THEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS A DISASTER AS WE ALL KNOW IT AND NO ONE WILL EVER WANT TO PUT THEIR LIVES IN THE HANDS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!

INSTEAD OF BLOGING ON HERE WITH YOUR COMMENTS AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS YOU ARE BETTER OFF WRITTING THE WHITE HOUSE AND GIVING YOUR TOILET PARTY SOME ADVISE. BECAUSE BEST BELIEVE WE ARE GOING FOR A SECOND TERM IN FULL FORCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS!!!!

I predict many Republicans will end it all with self-inflicted wounds.

I will treat Obama exactly like the Democrats have treated Bush the last eight years. It’s only right to be fair.

Omg MJ you took the words out of my mouth, I could not agree with you more. Listening to the Republicans (GOP), same party just in case some of you get lost, is the like listening to their mentor for 2012 SP saying they are not dropouts, they are going taking their GED courses to get their degrees. Incredible if not just read some of the post here especially the one by George Bush January 2, 2009 11:20 am ET

Biggest story of 2009. Taxes that will be raised to pay for all the bailout and campaign promises. It's already begun with the gas tax to pay for job creation in revamping our infrastructure. It's only the beginning, dems always raise taxes.

What an idiot ...look who is still in office ...you the Great Leader we are so proud to have President Bush, but wants to make sure he leaves President Elect- Obama something to be blame for, and look it is working for some of ya'll.

Irritated in Fl/ Indiana Voter your mothers must have been a total drunks during pregency, because your both complete Idiots.

I foresee... labor riots.

So are the Republicans going to be this insane for the whole next 4-8 years, or are they just still licking their wounds from losing the election miserably?

My prediction: If Obama manages to overcome even a significant part of the mess Bush leaves behind, Rush Limbaugh's audience share will begin a significant decline, eventually leaving Rush a shrill, shrieking voice of insanity in the wilderness... and no one will care.

Except the obvious Rush dittohead fan club who posts here. Easy to pick 'em out, they repeat everything he says.

@Ken

I agree gutting the repubs is a fine goal, you just got another recruit(altho, that implies I have not been doing it for the last 6 months) so instead of a new recruit, I will just reup!

Irritated in FL – you're sick. Go see a psychiatrist.

JBS Ohio, you are elected as the new democratic spokesperson/poster child for bi -partisanship. All you need to do is learn how to speak and spell correctly,

All of you are Pathetic Americans, the only race complaining are white people. It's amazing how victimhood is a sin when blacks attempt to use it, but its acceptable when whites are trying to play the victims (somehow). Oh no, we can't simply get things by showing up, Oh no. Look at how those blacks have educated themselves, and are now living in nicer homes because of hard work. Ah, where did we go wrong, wasn't everything suppose to work out for us? LMAO

Irritated in FL,

POOR THING, I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR YOU. IF YOUR

EXISTENCE IS THAT BAD, WE, AS A NATION & YOUR FELLOW

CITIZENS & YOUR FAMILY HAVE FAILED YOU MISERABLY.

PLEASE TRY TO GET SOME HELP. ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO

ENJOY LIFE & THE COMPANY OF OTHER FELLOW HUMANS.

If Senator Obama operates in the same way he did in Chicago when he was going up in the political ranks, then he will disappoint many, like me, who supported him. I fear he will "join the DC club" and go along with the Democrat power base – Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd, andTed Kennedy. This will be a disaster,

I also predict that while he may extricate himself form Iraq in 2-3 years, he will mired down in Afghanistan (like the Russians were for 10 years), and Afghanistan will become a much bigger problem that Iraq ever was.

On the economic front, Barney Frank and Chris Dodd are too enrenched to permit any real reform on Wall Street, Fannie Mae, or the insurance industry. Obama will bow to Union pressure put on all the Dems who get millions from UAW in contributions, and to whom Obama owes for their support, and he will throw more bad money to GM and Chrysler with not real reform or improvement there,

@Aaron

"I think Obama will go for the center and have some unexpected allies…the republican moderates."

I definately admire and hope that your projection is correct, but I am afraid the term "moderate republican" is an oxymoron. They have proven that they are too selfish to care about the little guy, I do not see that changing within the next 4 years.

I predict that bitter Republicans will continue to leave nasty, bitter messages on CNN's Political Ticker and continue whining and crying all the way to 2012. And then their candidate will get defeated again. Maybe then they'll begin addressing the nation's problems, rather than contributing to them.

1. good speeches
2. good news attributed to Big O
3. bad news attributed to Bush and Repubs
4. Media coverage of 1-3.

The internet will self-destruct. A good thing too since it's become the easy-access home for all the various nutcases' and weirdos' opinions and rants (see below).

President Obama is the only one that can begin healing the economy. If the GOP doesn't get its act together and start acting like leaders they will only hurt anything that Pres. Obama will try to do. Who's calling who corrupt? Republicans have their own scandals and corrupt politicians. Unless your walking on water I would not judge anyone.

"inuk of the north January 2nd, 2009 10:54 am ET~The big story will be Obama will see the largest downward slide in approval ratings ever recorded." That's impossible, Bushs' approval rating was ~91% after 9/11. WHere's it now... 25,26,27. By my math that's a drop of 65ish pts. Not going to happen.

My prediction is that the republicans suddenly have no idea what their doing. They've become an old, white, out of touch southern party that has no real baseline of where this country is going. With no clear leader their not going to know how to deal with the new administration. I just hope they don't make things worse!

Dear JBS Ohio,
Please talk with your local elementary school and insist to be allowed to take (or retake) basic English.

All the naysayers have dire, gloom and doom predictions – why don't we wait and see what happens?
I am fully confident in our country – and in Barack Obama!!!

i just dont get it. people whine a lot in this country. whine and whine and whine. its like phil gram former john mccain economic adviser is right when he said it.

With the southern redneck/talk radio base, the repubs will be the party that hunts down heretics.

Hopefully.

Incompetence on the part of everyone's favorite politician –the almoghty OBAMA will be the big story. Then and only then will these misguided people realize that their great prospective leader is incapable of being the head of a country. He should have tried a governorship before he leapfrogged his way to the top.

IN YOUR DREAMS!!!
Obama will be a great president!!! he will be YOUR president.Either get use to it or MOVE!!!!

I do not have a problem with Barack Obama being President. Unlike so many politicians he is very well spoken and has a professional appearance. I do however have a problem with the idiots blaming crap on the Republicans. If you notice it's all the low-life scums who don't know crap that are foaming at the mouth. The racist idiots that will be the demise of Obama are the blacks yelling racism to everyone who doesn't care for Obama. The typical black person does no justice to Obama. Then there are the redneck white folk who think they have it all. In a way I see why they feel like they do. Just look at the paper or news and it's always some black person screaming racism and the fact that they think they are being descriminated against. All you people griping and complaining which is about 95% of the idiots on this blog are Pathetic Americans.

Obama's homosexuality will irreputably be exposed and there will be another sex scandal in the White House. It'll be interesting to see how he manages his crack habit, being followed by Secret service 24/7.

This is to all you McCainiacs,sit back and shut the hell up.We the people has already voted so stop winning about Obama.I think you are scared that he will succeed,country first right,you guys are a joke.Let Obama clean up BUSHES MESS.You McCainiacs have so much hate.I hope you guy's act like this in 2012, please do.You guy's will rather have joe the so called plumber and that so called hockey mom run this country.YOU CLOWNS.

She's an illegal immigrant who was deported 4 years ago and then went to live in Public Housing at taxpayer expense. But now someone is hiding her in the U.S. when she should be on the next boat to Kenya.
What's up with this????

Of course, you could all try to be optimistic... Adpoting the "us" and "them" partisan attitudes are just making you people rave like loonies. Despite what both sides may claim, change starts at home, so despite the bad weather, you could be out helping in your community or raising your family instead of posting venom on the 'Net.

Even if I sound like a hippie-dippie liberal right now, I think I have all the evidence I need when I look at you all losing your minds. Seriously. None of you can predict the future (not even Carville), so why don't we just wait and see what happens. In the meantime, the key word here is "support," not "destruction." Worried about the new government? The economy? Get off your butt and DO something. These people here that you're preaching to won't miss you, trust me.

(Just like they won't miss me... even if this does get posted, I'm sure it'll be lost in a sea of negativity anyway... hello? *tap tap* is this thing on?)

My prediction is that after what Paul Begula wrote about Ann Coulter, he's going to regret it BIG TIME.

Paul, or the soon to be Paula, after Ann Coulter gets finished emasculating you (not too hard to begin with), if you think that the Republican Party is lacking in future leadership then you must not be an intellectual yourself, or you're smokin' crack.

Maybe you're getting things confused with the Black leadership (or lack thereof) in this country since the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Either way...sucks to be you.

It will be the collapse of the retail sector and then the collapse of the US economy. It's nobody's fault but our own.

One thing we can count on are the cynics and haters to continue to bash and trash Obama's every hand. They will lie, wait and try to trap him every chance and opening they get. I predict that God will raise up a standard to protect Obama from his enemies and there are many. Obama will prevail as there are many who are praying for him. The Obama administration are facing many challenges on a domestic and national front which is why I can't believe how our own people would want to see this man fail. NEWS FLASH: If Obama fails, America Fails. The sad part is why so many are plotting and waiting for his demise, you will face tragedies of your own. Remember, you REAP what you SOW!

Nothing.. he got what he wanted: he and Michelle in the White House. Now he is just laughing at you!

republicans will act like cry baby liberals of 2001 and will try and blame everything that happened in the past 8 years either on Obama or Clinton or Carter.

Don't be surprised if Iraq and 9/11 became the failure of Obama according to republicans

Griff...you really should consider seeing a SHRINK and getting meds for your crap attitude about life!

Civil war.

My prediction is that the nation will discover that Obama cannot walk on water and is alas, just another politician. The public will then hopefully gain some insight and bring their expectations down to a reasonable level. Obama will be neither a great president nor will he be another G.W Bush (meaning a national disaster.)

I am quite confident that with Hillary Clinton as SOS and with the reincarnation of the rest of Bill Clinton's administration, this will be a very positive and prosperous 8 years.........................................New slogan "Yes We Can"(Again)

Trust me, just as Bush/Cheney had their agenda which was followed by this people, so will Barack Obama. As Joe Biden say, he will give input, but Obama is the President.... and HE will be the final word on ALL decisions! Now that speaks volumes! Obama is a very intelligent, highly educated man as well, he taught Constitutional Law for ten years. This man is qualified to run this country... AND HE WILL with the advice and aid of some of the top minds in this country!

So get with the program, folks, or remain part of the problem instead of the solution.

Just sayin'....

The big story for 2009: glowing media praise and coverage of Obama. I mean, I can't IMAGINE them actually showering him with praise (sarcasm).

Also new for 2009, media referring to the POTUS as "President" (fill in POTUS name) versus the previous media reference of "Mister" (fill in POTUS name). Oddly enough, the AP and other news giants made the opposite switch in the standard POTUS title sometime around November or December of 2000. Strange, huh?

Well, for starters the Republicans are already trying to put cogs in many wheels to trip Obama, his administration, and the American people as we wheel towards cleaning up the mess of the past eight years.

Just look at the Republicans: Still dark suited (must be a message there), pale-skinned, stern, narrow-minded, negative, bald (hmmm, a genetic attribute toward Republicanism?), and self centered.

Where's some sunshine?

There will be only ONE BIG STORY or QUESTION.
Are the US politicians, the public, the media, the CEOs, prepared to forget about there own goals and greed and to cooperate for a recovery of the US in total? Just listen again to the major speeches of your PE. May be that you will finally understand what is at stake.

CHOPPY WATERS UP AHEAD.

BUT WE SHOULD BE OK.

WE HAVE A GREAT CAPTAIN AT THE HELM

& A GREAT CREW TO STEER US OUT OF THIS MESS.

I wish the Dems would leave our next president (Sarah Palin) alone and try to reconcile to their racist, corrupted party. No AA's in the Senate if the Dems have their way.

root of hatred comes from reading comments from CNN.....

Democrats led by the woefully incapable Obama will create all sorts of inefficient bureaucracy and leech America of all its money.

International businesses, faced with increasing costs, increasing taxes, increasing regulations, and a less productive workforce will relocate off shore.

Iran, no longer concerned with American military might with Obama in office, will finalize development of a nuclear bomb. Meanwhile, the liberal media will continue to cover up the fact that Saddam was one small step away from having a nuke. (No WMDs indeed.)

Israel, no longer able to depend on America's support because of Obama, will take measures to secure its border. Oh thats right, this is ALREADY HAPPENING.

World War III is not off the table. Good pick, Obamabots, good pick.

Big stories...

1) gradual economic recovery – with limited gains and decreased unemployment. Nothing colossal but moving in the correct direction.

2) Wall Street recovery. Things will improve.

3) Continuing Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Lots of battles, more bombings, killings, etc... We'll continue to get more of what we've alread become accustomed to in this part of the world. No real resolution by the end of 2009

4) Minimum of six major political scandals – evenly divided among democrats and republicans.

5) Reduction of military forces in Iraq / Increase in forces to Afghanistan. Successes and failures on both fronts.

6) The big story will be how the current economic stimulus being so vigorously debated will have the desired POSITIVE effects of jump-starting this economy. This will be the story of 2010 though.

Predictions for 2009? For starters: the public's love affair with Obama will go flatter than 3-day-old Coke, gone, fini. Then, we will see him for what he really is ...

God only knows.

Proud American–you must be a friend of M. Obama who is "finally" proud of her country! I am sick of your comments blasting republicans–in case you did not know–republicans have deserted this site because they were not allowed to blog during the election. All of the negatives are disilusioned democrats. Obama term has not even started and , already, there are huge scandals coming out among democrats. The blatant racism against Burris is not to be believed and all from hypocritical democrats. What a quagmire of psychopathology–from unqualified Caroline S. being considered for senate to rejection of a qualified black man for the Senate! Unreal!

This board is filled with haters. You people need to find a hobby it's ridiculous how you losers write this stuff. Obama is the man, deal with and put your nasty comments in you personal diaries and not on these blogs everyday, PLEASE!!!

Carter was great! Big Daddy O will do a great job. But he cannot do it alone. My prediciton is that he will win over the GOP and they will support him before it is all done.

The Proud American is also a bit naive today.

A surplee machine at 7-Eleven is what Obama will be working on in 4 years - as this guy is just plain dangerous - and with NO CLUE.

Fannie Mae dug this sub prime hole for us - The LARGEST 3 recipients of political contributions from Fannie Mae for the past 3 years are – Barney Frank – Democratic Chair of House Banking Committee; Christopher Dodd – Democratic Chair of Senate Banking Committee; and Mr Obama -- therein lies the problem with sub prime.....and therein lies the prooblem with the corrupt Democrats

As for change, Obama has appointed the biggest and longest running beauracrats in DC – Biden, Clinton, Richardson, and Daschal -– gimme a break. For the next few years the people running the country will be Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Dodd, Kennedy ....

i predict obama will throw progressives under the bus.

Insrael, or Middle East in general.

Griff???????

Would you please make a complete coherent sentence? You really can't call anyone an idiot, not unless you are looking into a mirror.

Hater!!!

Proud American will come up with 15 different ways to spell idiot.

I prayed for this country and I prayed for wisdom for the will be president Obama. I prayed for forgiveness for the wrongs commited as a Nation and I asked God to heal this Land. i know God is faithful and He will give Obama and his team the wisdom they need to restore this country. This is not about Obama..this is about the future of AMerica. I'll keep on praying.

Cry me a river for those complaining that the dems are blocking a black man to be seated as a senator. I am black, too, and let me tell you folks something: the moment Roland Burris accepted that nomination, he sunk to the same level as Blogojevich. Burries just wanna add a US senator on his resume and carve it into his cementary monument in Chicago. This guy is crazier than Blago. This is no black or white thing.

Inuk-

Don't let facts get in your way. Didn't you also predict the Cubs would win the world series in 2008?

The first quarter of 2009 the new adminstraion will be tested by the minoity party, however at the risk of alienating even more of the electorate they will not be able to over reach.

On Iraq the withdrawal has been set in motion by the present administration so President Obama will be able to keep his promise to withdraw in a minnimum of 18 months (versus 16 months)

The preseent administration has brought the bar down so low, that will be easy for Obama to llok good on the economy.

His biggest success will come in beginning to put the hyer liberal/conservative partisanship on the trash heap in order to really move the nation to next level.

This what the people really voted for !!

The investment in the country's infrastructure will boost the economic recovery; the dow jones will ticker upwards; Gitmo will close; Roland Burris will nto be seated as a US senator.

Griff-

You have to be the full time idiot in your village. Some towns have people take turns, but I really doubt there is anyone who could match you.

Peace and love to you in 2009.

The great unknown is whether there will be any turnaround. If there is, look for Democrats to take credit. If not, look for them to continue to blame the Bush legacy.

I would bet my house and everything I own that this is the political big story of the new year. Of course it will only be big news when it has to do with blaming Bush.

"I will not blame Bush that my neighbors purchased a home out of their price range with no money down and are in the process of a "short sale"."

Do you know what's odd about that?? Everyone wants to live the the "American Dream", right? Well...what part of that is the American Dream?? Purchasing a house, right? I gotta say, forclosures should rise up and I just seen the numbers on house values drop. I gotta say, that's odd. How could houses be worth less than our well being?? Houses are our shelter, is our economy, is not supposed to be like that. Having a house drop in value is like buying a car from the three automakers. If one of them falls, then good luck with that car, it'll probably be no value. Now that's what I'm afraid off, houses that are worth less than our character...I think that's the most underrated aspect in this economy, I truly believe so.

Same people posting their negativity and doom and gloom day after day.

I for one hope that PE Obama achieves success for the sake of the country and the world. I also will be watching the Republicans to see if their actions are for the country or the next election.

That Obama will work very hard to clean up the absolute mess left behind by George Bush and the Republican party and make some headway. That Republicans and Conservatives finally realize how bad a shape this country is in and will stop criticizing Obama and give him a fair chance to do the job he was elected to do.

For all you Obama haters, the American people have woken up. Most of us realize that what happens in 2009 and possibly beyond that is a direct resault of the policies of George Bush. You cannot blame Bush's failures on Obama. It won't work, the American people know better.

Proud American – you are a disgrace to America. I suppose you are one of the loser's who claim to be an African American

The unexpected will be the big story of 2009. Our enemies and even some of our so-called friends will act like the US has no teeth. Russia and Al Queda will act in a way we hadn't seen yet.

Democrats have runed everything they touch. Now they have their hands on America.

The Watcher must have started his job AFTER Obama won the election. It appears he selectively chose not to WATCH the current administration. Are you planning to WATCH and make sure Cheney and Gonzales get a court date? Remember, they have been indicted, but for some reason, CNN or theh GOP aren't talking about that. Hmmm.

Bigger Wall Street losses, a record number of American Citizens hungry, a record number of American Citizens jobless, a record federal budget debt, a record number of retail failures, the return of the military draft, an ever growing increase in the loss of freedom and liberty for the American taxpayer, and an over all kinder gentler machine gun hand!

Oh and I forgot the number one reality TV show will be the "Running Man" where gladiators fight for their freedom from the Justice of the righteous, LOL
Because doing RIGHT has no end....

No problem is too big for the "One". He has a whole truck load of promises to deliver. I think his mouth overloaded his rear end.

@Proud American

You say you are a "proud american" but your words say otherwise.

You look to be just another hate filled democrat who has Bush Derangement Syndrome.

You are in fact the "village idiot."

Incompetence on the part of everyone's favorite politician –the almoghty OBAMA will be the big story. Then and only then will these misguided people realize that their great prospective leader is incapable of being the head of a country. He should have tried a governorship before he leapfrogged his way to the top.

I am hopeful the big story will be the emergence of the hydrogen economy to save our national economy, put millions of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell autos on the road, the boom created by slowing oil imports, terrorists & OPEC crumbling due to lack of oil revenues, global warming reversal and green house gas levels dropping. With a hydrogen economy, it will spur a pleathura of opportunities from fueling stations to generators, forklifts, boats, planes, trains, UPSs, home energy stations, etc.... not to mention the jobs created and investment opportunites galore. I am watching the fuel cell industry preparing daily with an explosion of developments straining to break free!!!

I think the big story is that we are going to learn how much about the Bush administration we did not know. I believe information is going to be leaked about the level of incompetence from the top down.

why did "Proud American" say that another poster needed to learn to spell and then go about mispelling so much in his/her post?

The big story will be the economic meltdown and the civil unrest caused by tax increases.

Obama leaves a legacy similar to Roosevelt, jobs returned, America's image abroad improved, and the slump was made less worse than it would have been if the current practices had been followed.

Well, we had a couple days of moderators who posted all our
our opinions, but guess it was too much to hope for that it
would last.

Obama was not my first choice–Clinton was. However, he earned my vote in the national election and I wish him well!

I'm afraid I have to agree with Robin, but with one exception.
I have no intention of accepting the incoming freak as president. There are too many unanswered questions, resolve those problems, then I will take another look.

Paul Begala struck the nail on the head with his predictions on the GOP, they really have alot of work to do.

Contrary to what 'The Watcher' has to say, Obama has not lost the respect of his party. The man's 'reign' hasn't even begun yet.

I sincerely hope that the biggest news story for '09 is the successful prosecution of Bush/Cheney and their cronies for war crimes and treason against the people of the US.

inuk of the north @ 10:54
"He has waffled on Iraq, the bank bailout, the big-3 bailout, the Bush tax cuts, the windfall tax, the mortgage foreclosure crisis and more. This guy plays every position and comes down squarely, on both sides of the fence."

Rarely does one get the chance to rebuke a paragraph with one word, and I take the opportunity:

Bush.

I see most Republican are upset with Obama. I don't think I want a President who is not willing to change his plan if it warrant that change. We have had 8 years of the cowboy stance on issues and now look where we are today. So if Obama change his mind on taxes, Iraq, and solving the problem in regards to the ecenomy I do believe that decision did take great deal of thought before making a quick decisions. That is what leaders do. So Obama please if you hear me, if you see diaster ahead, simply change the play. I do not believe a President owes no political party a favor. He is there to lead the people, not just the Democrats. That is why the Republicans will have problems being elected the next 16 years. So don't get upset with Obama, because of your mistakes on representing the people. Get upset at youselves and the poor choices you guys made. I really don't understand why most of you are Republicans anyway, most of you make less than $250,000.

Despite a concerted effort by rght-wing America-hating Republican exytremists (cheered on by wackos posters here) to obstruct Obama's plan to reverse America's economic and manufacturing decline, Obama will, with the help of the common rational man, begin to make headway and put in place programs that will result in real progress towards a stronger, better educated, democratic America.

Scortched-earth theo-facists, like griff, will go crazy and either end their lives to protest progress or move to Burma.

Watch what happens to the "Republicans" this could get real NASTY!

The link to James Carville's predictions doesn't work!!

Kudos to you Robin.
I predict that Reid, Pelosi, Frank, and Dodd will be a serious handicap for Obama. I see these jokers prescribing the same old failed liberal fixes to this nations problems. I did not vote for Obama, but I see a glimmer of centrist showing through and I think that the old Libs in Congress will do their best to pull him hard left.

The biggest story for 2009 will be the level of respect for our new president. After Jan. 20th, Obama will be president and will be able to start working for the people of America. I predict that Obama's approval rating will be off the charts by the end of 2009.

Obama steps down in a Birth Certificate scandal that proves he's ineligible to be President. Biden becomes President, Picks Hillary for VP and he decides not to run in 4 years paving the way for a Hillary Clinton Presidency – which she rightfully won anyway.

Lack of independent news coverage by the progressive MSM. i.e. State run media..

More shadiness from Obama.

To The Watcher,..inuk of the north ...and the rest clueless people who are expecting downfall of the new President. You people need to get of the wagon of hatred that will only lead to treason. Jmac and Sarah told stevens to resign and the rest of the GOP wing nuts....did steven resign..?
Please you brainless idiots always see dirt in someone's eyes and never mind the log in your own eyes Jesus Christ called that hypocricy. The election is way over.

I predict that there will be even more whining, blaming, and hatred from the anti-Obama people on here.

Oh look! I'm already right!!

My first prediction is about mother nature! I hope and pray that it starts snowing in Israel and the Gaza Strip for both sides to really cool down!

There is one President at a time but at this time there is a new reality in the world. America has to remember to cash in on the huge interest of this election and on the fact that Obama and the american election was viewed from around the world has real change is coming in the world to offer a new attitude. This current international crisis and the images being seen of this war on one side and the people in the street for Gaza shows through media and now the internet, how fragile the good feeling towards the new president is and how it is at risk of being short lived if the heritage of this current administration is to not express, since it is all about perception, how folks from all walks of life truly desire to put an end to any type of violence in this world we all live in and we are all interconnected in this world of ours.

I think Obama Will have his hands full with demands from the left. We have already seen that some special interest groups think that they can tell Obama what to do. I am proud that Obama so far has been able to ignore them and try to focus on what matters to everyone. One of my major concerns about Obama was his ability to work from the center not because he is a radical but because the special interest groups will soon be kicking down his door and telling him that he needs to do what they want or he will loose the support of that group. So far he has not cracked under the pressure and I hope he keeps it up.

My prediction is that in 2009 people will see that Bush did a good job afterall. The current economic downturn was caused by a bunch of liberal whiners, the media, and the ungodly budget surplus that Clinton foisted on the Bush administration in 2000. The invasion and occupation of Iraq was pure genius, allowing us to bring bin Laden to justice, to show the Iraqi people how to live freely in a military-free and electricty-free society, and to capture huge numbers of WMDs that Saddam was hoarding to sell to al Queda......so Bush did a great job.....

Oh wait, that's called a fairytale, not a prediction. But in some quarters that fairytale substitutes as 'fact' and is spewed to the vacuous neo-morons for instant belief, despite the obvious and overwhelming evidence of pervasive [R]ightwing failure over the last 8 years.

My real prediction for 2009 is that I will attempt to disembowel the rightwing underbelly of this nation at every opportunity. It is the biggest single longterm threat to my family and this nation. As our patriotic duty, all of us should no more ignore that threat than the threat posed by the Muslim terrorists......both represent a hatred for the underpinnings of our modern society - freedom and the Enlightenment. Both need immediate and constant attention. Both need a response of overwhelming force to protect our nation and the world. Nov. 2008 was a great start.

Here's what won't happen! A scandal free Obama administration!!

Biggest story of 2009. Taxes that will be raised to pay for all the bailout and campaign promises. It's already begun with the gas tax to pay for job creation in revamping our infrastructure. It's only the beginning, dems always raise taxes.

Now that Headline News has degenerated into HLN, lowering expectations of anything more newsworthy than runaway brides and promising ever more ad nauseum "discussion" and shouting matches, I predict a further stultification of the populace and degradation of the electorate.

Hard to predict, with many priorities facing Obama. It would be nice
and a big story, if Obama could start cleaning up corruption, oh, and that applies to CONGRESS!

I agree with a couple of the CNN analysts. I think Obama will have problems with the democratic leadership over whether we will be center left or left. I think Obama will go for the center and have some unexpected allies...the republican moderates. I also think the schism in the republican party will get worse. There will be a battle between those who feel the party isn't far enough to the right and those who believe it swung to far to the right. I think they will have to suffer another bad election cycle in 2010 before they move to the center. This year however, I think the right wing will prevail.

inuk of the north – Obama could move into the White House on Jan 20th, go upstair and straight to bed. He could stay in bed for the next 4 years and never utter one word and still be a better president than George Bush.

I don't know about those with condemning comments on here, but Obama is gonna be a great president. Yes I'm an educated African American that knows what is right and what is wrong. I think there will be more stories, but it won't affect Obama. He has always come out of it and it shows. Whites that are against Obama are always trying to find some little thing to pin on Obama to make him look like the bad guy. I hate to say this, but it has to do with race and being ignorant to reality. We as proud Americans don't condone bigotry and look to help our president elect to turn this country around and you should stop with the racism and ignorance and think more about why you hate America. Please stop being mad at the world. Think positive. We are all one nation under god!

We've proven we're willing to spend $4.00 per gallon for gasoline. How about a one dollar per gallon tax at the pump, to offset the $500 million debt our nation has incurred to pay for the invasion and occupation of Iraq?

Obama will do just fine.Good morning Richard Rohde or who ever you are today.We all now know you by your Rush Limbaugh talking points and hate filled comments and the one hundred or more names you use to try to make us think there are more morons posting here than there really are.Im at the point where I just laugh at you or just out right ignore you.I just wish they had an ignore button on here that would work by your isp.I would like to read posts by people with real comments without having to wade through your garbage.

Such hateful responses on this blog even before PE Obama is in office...some will never give him the chance regardless which is very sad because whether they like or not he will be "their" President as well.
We had an awful 2008 and earlier years were not much better under Bush, so the only way it can go is up under PE Obama and I have great faith in him to do the very best he can for this country.
We who voted for him will be watching and will hold him accountable with things we see as not right and this is our right to do so.....we don't have to agree with everything a President does and blindly follow which unfortunately the Republican party tend to do.
It is not un-patriotic either, it's our right as citizen's to let our voice be heard and not follow like sheep.

The first sitting President to be added to Mt. Rushmore.

You heard it here first.

Blago gets voted "Man of the year" by taxpayers for creating Chaos in Congress for wasting our money.

I am going to pray for President Obama because I look at the hatred on these boards, and you know many of these posters are people who probably profess to be Christians. I prayed to keep President Elect Obama from the evil spirits during the election, and I will continue that prayer. God is going to do a great thing through this man, and the spirits of division (a spirit of the Devil) seems to dwell on this board. Who would pray and hope for failure?

2009 – the year the Republican party dissolved and the new third party system finally made its way into modern politics....

Not to mention a GREAT first year for Barack Obama......

Middle East..... Middle East.... JObs.. jObs..joBS.. JobS... Russia.. Russia.... Iran.. Iran... Jobs.. J o b s.. Obama needs to set priorities and push out little domestic problems like Senate seat and other unimportant dumb catfights in America, which does not add value to being a healthy America again..

The democratic party being exposed for their hollow rhedoric about inclusion and tolerance as they stop Burris from becoming a Senator.

Wow Griff you should really consider going back to school and learn how to spell. I see Republicans are out in force today with their hate. One of the top stories of the year will be how It took Mr. Obama leadership to fix this country after 8 years of being ran by village Idiots. Americans will learn that Republicans can't be trusted to run a surplee machine at 7-Eleven let alone the entire United States Government.

Obama's incompetence makes George Bush look like " Abraham Lincoln"

Big Story will be;Obama gets removed from office because he is not an American Citizen by birth right.

I agree with Robin. Time to stop screaming just to scream. Time to start solving problems. That means compromise. The extreme left will scream. the extreme right will scream. The remaining 80% will roll up our sleeves and actually return our country to greatness.

Forget about blaming the republicans for the past. Let's focus on taking the best ideas of the republicans and democrats and synthesizing a new economy and world. It will be a world that has a large dose of compromise. Few will be completely happy. But few will be as sad as the people who post their venom on this site.

The democratic party being exposed for their hollow rhedoric about inclusion and tolerance as they stop "that black guy" from becoming a Senator

Obamabots: Don't be upset when you realize that he's just another politician who used smoke and mirrors and nice talk to get to the White House.........only to realize that 99% of his promises can't be fulfilled!!!

Wil be fun to see how much he ages in 4 short years!!!!!!!

It will all be good news about how Obama has saved the USA. even if it is worse since they, the liberal elite biased media, will still blame Bush for it all.

It is always amazing the way politics works……. A name, exerting of influence, some money gets "donated" or "contributed", a sweetheart deal is made and suddenly you are a senator. Hell, you might eventually even be elected on your own. One might even buy the presidency if they play their money………., er, cards, right. You do not necessarily even have to be the Obamessiah*!

(Borrowed from another contributor*)

The biggest story......the biggest issue.....for the next several YEARS will be the economy!

If we can't get this fixed, anything we'll want to do domestically or internationally will be impossible or at least, extraordinarily difficult.

Yes......it's ALL about the economy!

CNN? I never knew muslims could fly... Now I understand a little more why Obama is seen to be an Angel...

"Obama has no respect from his own party. Here are the Illinois gov and his stooge Burris adamantly refusing to listen to the PE's call to step down and bow out respectively. Perhaps they know something we don't….as in how crooked Obama is and what he's done to get where he is."

You've got it all mixed up. The Illinois gov and his stooge Burris have no respect for the rest of the Democrat Party. They aren't listening to the senior senator from Illinois Dick Durbin, they aren't listening to the Illinois Lt Gov, or to Harry Reid, or Nancy Pelosi.

Chicago produces two kinds of politicians, the corrupt and the corruption fighters. Obama's a corruption fighter. There's a reason Blago wasnt invited to the DNC convention or to the Grant Park celebration.

The big story will be just how ugly Americans act towards their own. This election has brought out all of the white hood wears.

The biggest question is will the republicans stop their nonsense,
totally misguided fundamentals and work to save our country?
Will they see beyond party lines, face up to their numerous
mistakes and do what is necessary and right?
As a country we have some very big hurdles and if the republicans
continue on as usual, these hurdles will be very difficult to
overcome. They must, for once, put the survival of our country
first.

More political scandals.

The big story will be Obama will see the largest downward slide in approval ratings ever recorded.

He has waffled on Iraq, the bank bailout, the big-3 bailout, the Bush tax cuts, the windfall tax, the mortgage foreclosure crisis and more. This guy plays every position and comes down squarely, on both sides of the fence.

He will make Jimmy Carter look great.

Obama has no respect from his own party. Here are the Illinois gov and his stooge Burris adamantly refusing to listen to the PE's call to step down and bow out respectively. Perhaps they know something we don't....as in how crooked Obama is and what he's done to get where he is.

Hey Scott, is that the Democratic Congress? Anything good that happens in the near future, even if from previous policies, will have credit given to only one man......guess who?

I am a Republican who voted for McCain. However, Obama is my new president and I will support him and wish him well.

I will not however jump on the bandwagon of "hatred" which seems to be the mantra on these boards.

I will not attack innocent children such as calling them bastards, (Sarah Palin's new grandson).

I will not blame Bush for EVERYTHING that is wrong today. Lets face it, Congress had a hand in it too.

I will not blame Bush that my neighbors purchased a home out of their price range with no money down and are in the process of a "short sale".

I will not moan and groan that Obama asked for the Blair House EARLY and was denied. (He will still get it 1/15/09 which is tradition).

I will not praise a man who threw shoes at the current president. It only shows the world how un-united we are.

That being said, I'm positive CNN will not post my comments.

Here is to looking forward to a successful 2009.

We have a president for the people, or so he says. It is in everyone's best interests he does well and does what he has promised. If he doesn't and he fails it will be worse then you can possibly imagine.

CNN's last comment... Opra Wintery... You mentioned John McCain .. So even CNN lie... Opra Wintery would never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barack Obama??? Opra WIntery... Same Crap! You either get your fact right, or cut the Crap Glorifying Idiot Obama.... Stop all this programing of the Public..... You are not around to Brain Wash CNN...

How about the proposal to raise the gas tax by 50% ? All because we're not driving as much we are going to be penalized for it by Congress.

MORE SPEECHES.