Happy NEWS Year - Forecasts For 2008! First, Bloomberg.
In my business, you are held accountable. So mark these forecasts down, or save the URL. A year from now, you can either let me have it, or congratulate me as the greatest forecaster of all time. (Doubtful)
In 2008, the following will happen.
Michael Bloomberg will declare himself an Independent candidate for President by early March and throw his own money into the campaign. With enough voters hungering for a change, Bloomberg will either:
a. Help elect a Republican by splitting the moderate vote.
b. Deny either major candidate enough electoral votes.
3. Win the election.
One more note on the NY Mayor. Nebraska’s outgoing Senator and war hero Chuck Hagel will be his running mate.
In 2008, American forces will finally move into the mountainous areas of Pakistan to take care of unfinished business - the demise of Bin Laden. This move will be made after the collapse of the government of Pakistan. President Bush is hoping the Bin Laden demise will happen before his troubled term ends.
The new year will mark the arrival of Michael Nutter as Mayor of Philadelphia. Expect some surprises including a Police Department that will be tougher than any since the Rizzo years. Nutter understands that criminal forces must begin to accept fear as a weapon against them. Look for Nutter to clean up the airport, modernize the city’s health department, and to have the finest relationship in years with the business community.
2008 will be a tough year for Republicans in the tri-state area. Battered by division, the Republican forces in Harrisburg will be dealt major election setbacks in legislative races. Opposition to customized gun laws for Philadelphia and other crime trouble-spots will hurt these lawmakers.
In Washington, there will be NO PROGRESS on health care reform. Both parties are too chicken to try anything in the election year, and will wait for the next President.
In sports, the Phillies will be hot again, but the surging fan base will be more demanding about getting into a World Series.
In the news business: The local news ratings war could see some real surprises, especially in the tight race between Channel 3 and 6. More change will be coming soon, and content-wise, maybe not for the better.
Two big issues that will make big news in America in 2008:
Water. Water is the new oil. States in the West and South are dry. Congress must come up with some national solutions to the water crisis.
Booze. Alcohol is the biggest drug problem among teenagers. Look for a new drug war aimed at teenage alcohol abuse.
Those are the fearless forecasts. What’s your’s.
In the meantime, I hope the good news is yours.
My forecast is that when I ask a question in writing I’ll use a question mark.
The solution to the water crisis in the Southwest is the market answer. If people insist on continuing to move in droves to So. Cal, Nevada, and Arizona, they should eat their just de(s)serts.
I feel a revolution coming on for ‘08. With no fresh television and the movie business in the toilet, (how many Spiderman or Shrek sequels can they make) people are going to find new outlets for their leisure time.
Britney Spears will choke on something and be buried in the trailer park where she grew up.
Rap music finally hits the skids. You can only chant nigga and ho so much before it loses its charm.
On the political front, people will find themselves so fed up with all these primaries and campaigns that they will actually forget to vote in the main election.
A new immigration law will allow every home owner to employ at least one Mexican illegal. The only catch is that you can’t pay them more than five bucks an hour.
In Philly, Nutter will fence off a section of the city to be known as the Bad Lands. All homicides, rapes, and drug dealing must occur in that area. Larry Kane will acclaim this the greatest break through in handling crime since Frank Rizzo.
John Street will lose his teaching position at Temple after he was caught cutting classes so he could wait in line for the newest version of the I-phone.
In the local news Alycia Lane will be caught in a New York city cab with Eddie Rendel. Ed’s explanation, “she had my phone number and just wanted to know if I was free for an interview….in New York…..Friday night……at 2 am…..”.
Osama Bin Laden is found dead. After delivering the ‘06 elections to the Democrats he thought that would signal the end to the War in Iraq. He could then go about his business of conducting murder and mayhem throughout the world. The failure of his best friends Nancy Pelosi and Bill Murtah drove him to commit suicide. By the way where are Nancy and Bill?
I’m going to go out on a limb here with my predictions…
In 2008, the Inquirer will endorse the Democrat candidate for President, and all other Democrat candidates for Congress except one or two token Republicans.
In 2008, the Daily News will endorse the Democrat candidate for President, and all other Democrat candidates for Congress - and not even one token Republican.
OK, call me crazy…
Joe, you are prophetic. I’ll second your prediction and go out on a limb and say that several million Republican votors will also endorse a Democrat candidate - in spite of whatever weak candidate the Dems nominate
In the news industry, I see Alycia Lane being kept off the air until Febuary sweeps. She’ll plead guilty to a misdimeanor, and the whole thing will blow over.
In the music industry, I see the “Big 4″ record companies collapsing. Artists will simply release everything independently or by themselves.
In Pakistan, I see the whole country plunging into a civil war after Mushariff gains more power.
In Philly, I agree that there will be a revival of the “Rizzo era”. By the feeling I got from watching the incomming commisioner on TV, he shares the “streets are not dangerous, the people on the streets are dangerous” philosophy.
Post racial politics will debut in Philly with the Police lead by a commissioner who realizes that power comes from the barrel of a gun, a Mayor who realizes that no prosperity, no peace will develop the economy without taking bribes for the privilege of selling candy bars and magazines at the airport or other consideration for building another Rittenhouse Sq condo. And finally, convicted murderer drug dealing shake down artists posing as devout Muslims will not have more access to City Hall than corporations seeking to set up shop in our city and actually employ people to do some legit work. Black Liberation fronts which produces more teen age killers than the Hitler Youth Groups will be discredited for the hate broadcasters that they are. There was more unemployment during the Great Depression, but not nearly the murder rate. There was more hopelessness and despair during Jim Crow in the south, and not nearly the murder rate or breakdown of the family. A new message of achievement by planning for your future, instead of resenting the historical past by becoming a valuable skilled human being will be emphasized with education initiatives from the grade school level to college.
It would be nice if the Pennsylvania Republican Party realized that the Philadelphia Republican Party (or what passes for it these days) is a serious weakness statewide and must be corrected lest the institutionalization of Rendellization (carry the 5 county SE PA area with progressive and women voters as strengths) be permanent. The lack of support for Taubenberger is a serious problem that trancends just the Mayor’s race (and one that Mr. Kane has insightfully noted previously).
Another prediction for 2008:
Larry Beatleboy will continue to opine with his editorial insights on topics across the boards.
And if you kids play nice, you can still hear his “insights” on KYW1060 and on CN8, along with Boston Barry Nolan.
Every day, its a treat to get some profound insights from an insider expert like Beatleboy.
Topics coming soon:
1) My thoughts on the Nutter Years
2) John Street’s Legacy
3) Roosevelt Boulevard Woes
4) Why the Evening Bulletin still sucks
5) Comcast vs Verizon.. the new Ali vs Frazier
6) Why I like the porn theater at 22nd and Market, and nobody else does
7) Lynn Doyle’s secret dessert recipes
8) How much I still despise the Stars on 45 ripoff version of the Beatles.
9) Blue Route woes
10) Sugarhouse Casino…the end of western civilization as we know it
11) An Insiders Guide to PHL airport including the secret entrance to Terminal F
12) Why I miss the good old days of tv shows like Hard Copy
13) 10 reasons Mike Huckabee wouldnt work at the Famous Deli
14) Delaware Avenue Woes
15) The Jason Michaels link to Kim Jung Il
I predict that dead people in Philly will set a new record for voting multiple times for Hillary.