What's next for year 2 of beleaguered U.S. president?

This column will offer predictions, but readers are warned that observing the United States (U.S.) for many years from overseas does not make my guesswork any more prescient than anybody else's. People who make a living predicting the future often are shown by events to be ludicrous, and nothing would make me happier than meeting the same fate with what is written here.

Most likely to come true is my prediction that the ultra-partisan strife that marked this president's first year will continue more or less unabated, if it doesn't become even more vociferous. Forget about tending to the nation's business and the public good.

In this election year for all members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate, all indications are that there is no issue more compelling for the vast majority of these representatives than getting themselves re-elected.

There is no tool more effective for winning elections than negative campaigning — and we will see more of that than ever.

Some Congressmen are choosing to retire, at least in part because they are disgusted with the entire political process that is corroding American society.

The imperative to satisfy well-heeled special interest groups that get people elected has brought about one of the most outrageous legislative farces in the last fifty years, particularly in the Senate.

For the Republicans, this “get elected” imperative has been and will be collective — make the once popular president fail. Since 60 votes are required in the Senate to stop a filibuster and move legislation to the floor for debate and a vote, the Republican victory in the Massachusetts bi-election two weeks ago to fill the late Senator Kennedy's seat means than no legislation has much chance to become law if the Republicans choose to oppose it en masse.

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