Predictions?

Obama wins close election against Romney, GOP immediately declares he has “no mandate” and declares (essentially) that they will continue to obstruct however they can.

Both sides make gains in Congress, but Senate stays in Dem hands while Republican control on the House loosens. Democrats take over numerous state and local level seats in response to Tea Party bullshit at the local level.

The situation in Iran will remain tense, with the odd rattling of the saber, while multiparty negotiations resume. In a related story, Iraq will dissolve again into sectarian violence, while the government remains largely impotent due to sharp divides in its composition. Al-Sadr will try to drum up anti-US sentiment in the wake of our departure to gain power.

The economic situation across the globe will continue to remain perilous, with the strong potential for a major collapse either in the EU or China. Meanwhile, job growth will remain shallow but steady here in the US, while the housing market continues to slowly sink beneath the waves.

And The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises will fight over the crown of “Best Movie” of 2012 before The Hobbit comes in and eats their lunches.