mclaughlin predictions 02-16-08

Here we go:

MR. BUCHANAN: The stock market is still swooning. Bernanke, at the next meeting of the Fed, will cut the basis rate -- the interest rate by 50 basis points, John.

I don't know a lot about the way the Fed works. This indicates that the "next meeting" was on March 18th, and "The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its target for the federal funds rate 75 basis points to 2-1/4 percent." +1

MS. CLIFT: President Bush's positive legacy will be the work he's done with AIDS and malaria in Africa, which is why he's going to Africa over the coming weekend.

This is true, but any praise should be tempered by Bush withdrawal of funding for any agencies that performed or promoted abortion, undoing a lot of good work that Planned Parenthood had done on the continent. +1

MS. CROWLEY: I now think that the trial of Tony Rezko, which is due to begin on March 3rd, will have a bigger impact on this campaign than any of us foresaw.

Wishful thinking, Monica. Only mattered to Hannity-ites. +0

MR. PAGE: My prediction is the American College of Physicians has just come out in favor of moving marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2, meaning it does have redeeming qualities. And this puts new pressure on the AMA now to agree.

Clarence, there is no prediction here. But marijuana is still Schedule I. +0

MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I predict that when Fidel Castro dies, Cuban political insiders will not take over the Cuban government. The Cuban military will, and it will introduce democratic freedoms.

You're silly, John. Fidel Castro is never going to die. +0

SCORECARD

Buchanan 2.25
Crowley 1.35
Zuckerman 1.0
Clift 2.0
McLaughlin 1.25
Freeland 1.0