Will Barack Obama be elected president of the United States?
No. OK, we blew it. We wrote that "his lack of experience will be insurmountable in the post-9/11 politics of America." Will Mike Huckabee become the GOP presidential nominee?
No. He had momentum and was on the cover of news magazines, but we said Republicans would ultimately settle on a candidate more in tune with the times.
Will New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg declare a third-party candidacy for president?
No. When columnists were writing that his candidacy was a sure thing, our take was that Bloomberg didn't have the proverbial fire in the belly.
Will Republicans regain control of Congress?
No. Our prediction wasn't all that brave considering that the Democrats' November blowout took shape long ago, with the faltering economy and bad foreign policy decisions.
Will Congress crack down on steroid use in professional sports?
Yes. Congress passed no bill, but high-profile congressional scrutiny and the threat of legislation led to beefed-up drug testing. MLB and the players association did vastly improve many of the league's rules regarding stricter drug-testing policies and cracking down on steroids and other illegal drugs.
Will the United States enact serious global warming legislation?
No. We were right in saying that nothing would eventually get done but wrong in predicting that Congress would heed the dire warnings by 2,500 scientists and pass legislation that George W. Bush would veto.
Will the U.S. economy slide into recession?
No. History will record that a recession began in December 2007. However, the slump might not have been declared a recession if not for the credit crunch that hit financial markets in September.
Will the price of a gallon of gas hit a new record?
No. We were wrong, but gasoline prices are lower now than they were a year ago.
Will the unemployment rate in the U.S. go down?
No. Unemployment rose to 6.7 percent, as of November, from 5.0 percent at the end of last year.
Will the local housing market recover next year?
No. Measures of house sales, prices and building permits all fell in 2008.
Will Scott Rolen finish the season as a St . Louis Cardinal if he's still on the opening day roster?
No. On Jan. 12, four months after his shoulder surgery, Rolen was sent to the Toronto Blue Jays for third baseman Troy Glaus.
Will the U.S. men win gold in basketball at the 2008 Olympics?
Yes. The U.S. men, dubbed "The Redeem Team," lived up to the nickname and won the Olympic gold medal in impressive fashion, including an exciting gold medal game against Spain.
