Top 10 for 2010

Here are my Top 10 predictions for the political world in 2010:

#1: 2010 is a very bad year to be an incumbent – of any party.

#2: Pelosi hopes in vain that the American people have VERY short memories. The ensuing housecleaning boots her off the Speaker’s dias as Republicans re-claim the majority in the House.  (Even if the GOP doesn’t re-claim majority party status, Nancy is a goner.)

#3. The Utah legislature has a rough session.  In spite of opposition from a few stalwarts and a few hoping to strengthen re-election prospects, taxes will be raised.  As a result of the brutal session, a higher than usual number of reps and senators decide not to seek re-election, while moderates “find religion” and join the Patrick Henry caucus and tea party movements to shore up re-election prospects.

#4. Harry Reid loses his re-election bid, even though he holds many LDS firesides in Nevada right before the election. The Senate stays under Democrat control but has only a slim majority.

#5. Bob Bennett loses at convention to challenger Mike Lee, sending shock waves through the national political world.  Speculation starts immediately on Orrin Hatch’s plans for 2012.

#6. Jim Matheson successfully faces in intra-party challenger but in spite of local and national prognosticators who consider CD2 a “safe” seat for him, he loses to former legislator Morgan Philpot.

#7. The jockeying begins for Utah’s 4th Congressional seat. Oh wait. That has already happened.

#8. A watered-down version of the Senate health care bill eventually passes, making everyone on both sides of the aisle mad.

#9. Social media plays a HUGE role in campaigns – for the winners. Ignore at your peril.

#10. Sadly, I think we will see at least one terrorist attack on our own soil – even if it’s called a man-made disaster.