The New Year

Thank you to all of you who read the VoterVault regularly throughout these last few months of 2006. As 2007 approaches, there are several things to keep your eyes looking for in the realm of politics. Below is a short list of things that are or are not currently getting media attention that will be crucial in the first month or two of the new year:

• Though there has not been a news story on it since December 20^th, the health of Senator Timothy Johnson (D-SD) will determine whether the Senate will be controlled by the Democrats or the Republicans. See this post for some more thoughts on the matter.
• The power/lack of power wielded by the new House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi. As you hopefully heard, she made a colossal blunder in trying to appoint her own House minority leader in the person of ethically-challenged John Murtha. Will she live up to her own image? Or will she be the truly benevolent leader she claims to be? The new year will tell us.
• Many of the possible 2008 candidates have blown smoke about how they have not yet decided if they are running. Both McCain and Obama said they would "talk it over with their friends/family over the holidays". Well, the holidays will soon be over, and they will all probably declare by the end of February at the latest--probably the end of January. Edwards made it official today. Seems like bad timing--the holiday week when people are paying very little attention to politics?
• Iraq: the hot potato for 2008. Will Bush send more troops? Will he start to pull them? Will McCain keep calling for more? Will the House, especially, put their money where their mouth is and actually vote for a pullout, or to defund the War? We'll know rather quickly. My money says they do nothing but call for "new leadership in the White House".
• Will there be any fallout from Senate Minority Leader Harry Ried dodging the Ford ceremonies? Doubt it, but it could hurt him if he ever tries to run for the White House.

Of course there will be a slew of things to be looking for come the new year. These are just a few. Join us here tomorrow at the VoterVault for our last post of 2007.