Thinking and Hoping

Look at this list of pundits and their predictions:

First, Republicans.

Fred Barnes - Bush 306, Kerry 232.
Tony Blankley - Bush Win
Pat Buchanan (who endorsed Bush this election) - Bush Win
Terry Eastland - Bush 296, Kerry 243
Bill Kristol - Bush 348, Kerry 190
Bob Novak - Bush 301, Kerry 237
Kate O'Beirne - Bush 297, Kerry 241
Tony Snow - 280, 258

Now, Democrats.

Donna Brazile - Kerry 297, Bush 241
Margaret Carlson - Kerry 274, Bush 264
Eleanor Clift - Kerry Win
Al Hunt - Kerry 279, Bush 259
John McLaughlin (not traditionally a Democrat, but he has spent month after month attacking Bush over the war) - Kerry Win
Lawrence O'Donnell - Kerry Win
Mark Shields - Kerry 281, Bush 257

Notice a pattern? This is my problem with "pundits." They should be giving clear-eyed, informed opinions, but too often their so-called analysis is thinly disguised boosterism. It's one thing to explain why you support a political position, it's another to fool yourself into believing the electorate must agree with you.

Perhaps some of these people came to their conclusion in a disinterested manner, but the public record does not inspire confidence.