2008 Indiana Gubernatorial Election Predictions

The incombant Governor is Republican Mitch Daniels, who was the first Republican Governor of Indiana in 20 years when elected. The best option for the Democrats seems to be former US Congressman Tim Roemer, who also seved on the 9/11 Commission

Daniels seems to be vaulnerable at this point of time, since his poll numbers have been mainly in the 30's and 40's for the last year in a half or so. I predict that Daniels will hold on with help from the presidential elections with a 2 to 3 point win over Democrat Roemer.

NBA Mid-Season Predictions

I have not done much on the NBA, nor will I. Since we are about half way through the NBA Season however I will make my predictions on how the Season will unfold. This will be my last NBA post until the Playoffs.


Eastern Conference Playoff Teams
1.Detroit
2.Cleveland
3.Orlando
4.Toronto
5.Chicago
6.Washington
7.Miami
8.Indiana

Western Conference Playoff Teams
1.Dallas
2.Phoenix
3.San Antonio
4.Denver
5.Lakers
6.Utah
7.Houston
8.Seattle

Playoffs Round 1
Detroit over Indiana in 6
Cleveland over Miami in 7
Washington over Orlando in 6
Chicago over Toronto in 4
Dallas over Seattle in 4
Phoenix over Houston in 5
San Antonio over Utah in 5
Lakers over Denver in 5

Playoffs Round 2
Chicago over Detroit in 6
Cleveland over Washington in 6
Dallas over Lakers in 5
San Antonio over Phoenix in 7

Conference Finals
Cleveland over Chicago in 6
Dallas over San Antonio in 5

NBA Finals
Dallas over Cleveland in 4

2008 Missouri Gubernatorial Election Predictions

The Republicans will likely renominate incumbent governor Matt Blunt. The Strongest option for the Democrats is likely four term Missouri attorney-general Jay Nixon, who has already filed paperwork for a run.

In 2004 Blunt won 51% to 48% over now Senator Claire McCaskill, and Blunt has amoung the lowest aproval ratings of any Governor, at 33%. Nixon is over all a very popular Attorney-General, and has a near 20 point lead in early polls. I predict that Nixon will take the seat by 4 to 5 points.

NFL Round 3 Predictions

New Orleans over Chicago: The Saints beat a better team last round, and Hollywood is probably rigging the game for the movie deal.

New England over Indianapolis: The Pats have just been too impressive lately, and playing on the road does not seem to bother them (8-1).

2008 Race

Were still a year away from the first caucuses an primaries, yet numerous candidates have already, either entered or have taken steps towards entering. So who to support? At this point given the number of potential candidates and the amount of time left it is premature, yet tempting to pick a candidate as of now. I have come up with a compromise for myself, I will not chose a candidate yet, but I will make a decision on March 7th, which is still too early, but at least I kept my mind open for a while.

NFL Divisional Playoff Predictions

Baltimore over Indianapolis: Baltimore has been a bit under the radar this year, but they are a damn good team. Indy is a fairly poor road team (4-4), while Baltimore is a solid team at home (7-1).

Philedelphia over New Orleans: Philly is hot. They have won their last 6, while New Orleans has loss four of their last five at home.

Seattle over Chicago: Seattle has played decently in their last three games, including coming within one blown coveage from beating San Diego. Chicago on the other has not been playing their best football lately. After Romo anything is possible.

New England over San Diego: Both teams enter on hot steaks. New England is 7-1 on the road and San Diego is 8-0 at home. Quarterback will be the difference maker, Brady is one of the best playoff Quarterback in history, while River's play has been shaky the last few games, including two games they nearly loss to teams in the NFC West.

Where I Stand

The quiz is overly simple, but here is my resault.

BCS

Yet another season of college football is over. While Florida clearly showed that they were worthy of the Natioonal Championship, I still think that it is time to implement a playoff system. I really did not care one way or another about having the current bowl system or a playoff system untill the Fiesta Bowl, non-BCS teams must have a chance to win the championship.
I will propose three systems to fix the problem.

1. An eight team playoff to be played over three weeks. The champions of the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, Pac 10, and SEC, would get a spot. One spot would go to the best non-BCS confrence school, but only if that team ran the table, and played at least one BCS school during their non-confrence scedual. The final spot would be given to an at large team, as well as the non-BCS spot if no non-BCS school ran the table.

2. Keep the bowl system in place, only have the two top bowl teams play for the National Championship. So this year it would have been Florida vs. Boise State.

3. Keep the system that is now in place but demote all schools who are not members of the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, Pac 10, or SEC.

My first solution would be my ideal, but my second and solution would be easier to implement, but would be more controversial, since computers and polls would be more involved in deciding the Champion. My third system would be hard to implement, since some of the Universitys are bound to put up a fight over being demoted, and there would be far fewer bowl games.

NFL Wildcard Round Predictions

Indianapolis over Kansas City-Indy does not lose at home.

Seattle over Dallas-If Dallas can lose to Detroit, they can lose to Seattle.

New England over New York Jets-Both teams are hot, but the game is in NE.

Philadelphia over New York Giants-The NYG are the worse team in the playoffs.

Congress

Here are my top 10 priorities for the new Democratic Congress.
1.Provide oversight on the war in Iraq.
2.Work towards a balanced budget.
3.Work towards reducing oil consumption.
4.Do more to improve the environment.
5.Raise the minimum wadge.
6.Provide a check on executive power.
7.Do not give yourselves a pay raise.
8.End debate on frivolous amendments such as flag burning and a ban on Gay Marriage.
9.Try to act in a more bipartisan matter than recent Congresses.
10.Don't forget to have fun!

2007 Predictions

Democrats: Clinton will continue to lead in the polls for the first half of 07, but in the fall and winter months at least one, if not several other candidates will rise to challenge her, even rising ahead of Clinton in several States, and by the beginning of 08 Democratic nomination will be between two to four candidates.

Republicans: By 2008 the Republican nomination will be between John McCaine and one or two others. 2007 will see the fall of Rudy Guliani as a majot threat to win the nomination, and we may even see him drop out before the years end. Rather McCaine will be challenged from the right either by ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, or ex-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.