It’s that time of the year when pundits and prognosticators around the nation look back at the preceding 12 months and make lists. Who made predictions that came true? Whose were a bust? What were the big events of the last year, and what are the big ones coming up?
This is an open thread for all that kind of stuff. I will begin by offering up a prediction from EB3, who posted the following nearly a year ago, on January 13, 2012 (the “Steve” he’s addressing is Steve Crosby, the chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission):
Hey Steve, I don’t know how this whole casino thing will end up in a mess of lawsuits but I do know it will.
Yup.
Please share widely!
Edward Snowden.
Anthony Weiner.
I supported what both Weiner and Spitzer were doing; let the people, not the tablods, decide. But Weiner just embarrassed himself, and I’d argue that he made is harder for Spitzer. Though it was telling that all three newspapers endorsed Spitzer’s opponent.
Rand Paul.
Hell, I SUPPORTED his anti-drone filibuster, but since then he’s been unfocused. Cruz has taken the conservative mojo from him, and Christie and his ilk still demonize him.
There’s an interesting irony with Paul. He has to advocate smaller, less powerful government while positioning himself to lead it. An artful politician could thread that needle, but there’s no sign yet that Rand can.
Richard Cohen. He hit new lows. Krauthammer and the other conservatives are technically worse, but Cohen is more painful because he’s supposed to be on our side.
David Ortiz.
Ed Davis is runnerup, but I’m a little curious why he was so eafer not to work for the next mayor.
^
Congressman Katherine Clark.
Joe Kennedy. He is already doing a fine job in Congress. He has also established a significant fund raising operation.
US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D)
Massachusetts
Elizabeth Warren has set the bar high once again for the Commonwealth and nation. Best wishes for good health, happiness and prosperity to the senator in 2014 and beyond.
We need you. We appreciate your service.
She makes me proud to be a Democrat. I contributed to her in 2013.
I upvoted Heartlanddem and urge everyone else to do so, but want to see Warren’s name more.
Massachusetts has avoided many of the problems experienced by states like New Jersey (GOP run) and Illinois (corrupt, Third Wayish Democrats), but Chester and the rest of the DESE deserve a kick in the butt for implementing not one, not two, but five major mandated initiatives including the 1) Common Core curriculum, 2) new testing to replace MCAS 3) ESL\ELL training for every Massachusetts teacher 4) a new evaluation system, and 5) data-driven measurement. In and of themselves, these measures could be argued to be worthwhile. Together, all at once, they are really screwing up our focus on instruction.
She ran a brilliant campaign that should make all of us proud and now the hard work of governing begins. I predict Katherine will distinguish herself as a tireless liberal champion fighting every day for moving working middle class ‘kitchen table’ issues forward. God
speed, Katherine.
“Be the kind of woman who every morning when your feet hit the floor, the Devil says: ‘Oh crap,she’s up.’ ” ANON
Congresswoman Clark seems fine. I like her well enough. But upsetting the apple cart has never been her style. I’d love for that to change, now that she’s in DC.
Maybe the only way to get ahead in MA is to cozy up to leadership and not make waves, while in DC you can be a little more Elizabeth Warren; or Barney Frank; or Mike Capuano. Some good role models.
NT
Our 9th birthday was in November. We’re looking forward to some kind of big blowout in November 2014 for our foray into double digits.
Thanks for the correction. I was thinking that 10 years had been mentioned. Should have remembered that it was after the 2004 election, not before.
In January, the Man from Wrentham said he was thinking about running in the Mass. special senate election. But, then Scott decided not to run.
In August, Scott Brown said he was thinking about running for Governor of Mass, but then he decided not to run.
Then, Scott Brown visited Iowa and told the Herald that he was thinking about running for President.
In December, Brown announced that he’s moving to New Hampshire, and he’s thinking about running for Senate in that state.
Winners
Globally: Pope Francis/LGBT Rights
I predicted he’d be man of the year and have followed him closely. A lot has been said already that I won’t repeat-just hope the deeds match the words.
Speaking of words-“who am I to judge?” Is increasingly the consensus of the American public, the states, the judiciary, and the UN and human rights communities-particularly when it comes to opposing actions in Russia and Uganda.
Athletically:
SI screwed the pooch with Manning. Ortiz and Serena Williams
were ties for Sportsmen of the Year.
Locally:
Mahty Walsh, Kitty Clark, Liz Warren, Big Papi and the Bearded bandits who won us a series, Officer Horgan, the marathon victims and first responders.
Bostonian of the Year: Sean Collier
Losers
Globally: American National Security State
No War in Syria, Amash-Conyers, broad consensus towards scaling back NSA. Wish Obama was on the rift side of this one.
Nationally: Obama and the Tea Party
Tied for political irrelevance-they both go into 2014 but only one can come out and it better be Obama.
Locally: Gabby “duck and cover” Gomez and Scotty “cut and run” Brown
Those careers are dead and aren’t coming back.
A great opportunity for the right person.