Not one of the members of the major media or celebrity journalists predicted the events of the past year. And yet I have been accurate approximately 80 percent of the time. Why is that? The answer is simple; I tell the truth and have no obligation to please a higher power. A second reason is that I read many sources to ensure that my stories are accurate; based on fact and not opinion.

During the 2016 campaign season I predicted most of the present outcome. I will not make the claim that I expected Donald Trump to remain the Republican Party’s leader as the convention nears; but that’s the exception which proves that I’m not infallible.

As the media began to hail candidates such as Carly Fiorina, and Marco Rubio, I remained confident of their failures with one exception.

I wrote one article claiming that Marco Rubio would be the GOP candidate. My reasons were valid, but failures by the Republican establishment to secure him the nomination proved me wrong. Instead of advising the young, inexperienced and naïve Senator to stand above the others and discuss the issues, they challenged him to use the same tactics as Donald Trump.

Rubio made a fool of himself as he attempted humor when discussing Trump’s skin color and the size of his hands. As Rubio’s stronghold neared its primary, the polls said it all. I predicted a huge loss for Rubio in Florida; Trump won by 20 points.

This forced Rubio’s withdrawal from his failed attempt to become the party’s nominee.

Months before Jeb Bush suspended his campaign, I begged him to withdraw. He made two serious mistakes early in his campaign; he offered support for his brother’s presidency, an administration history will prove as the worst and most dangerous eight years the modern world has ever known. The second mistake was allowing the American people to learn that George was the smarter brother.

Bush too attempted to play Trump’s game, but he wasn’t very good at that tactic either.

For Republican leadership there exists but a single hope; a brokered convention. It appears that this is very likely. They are manipulating a man they hate for but a single purpose; Trump must not receive 1,237 delegates before July 18^th.

The establishment is supporting Ted Cruz with millions of dollars in its efforts to stop Trump. Although it appears that they are supporting a Cruz nomination, I have another prediction.

The convention will begin without a candidate having secured sufficient delegates to with the nomination outright. As the votes are taken, and behind the scene deals are made, Paul Ryan or Marco Rubio will carry the Republican banner into the battle for the presidency.

One more prediction; Donald Trump’s supporters will resign from the party, and Hillary Clinton will stroll into the White House.

Of course I may be wrong; I am twenty percent of the time; but that’s part of the fun of writing about politics. This is a game, but for our nation’s future it cannot be played fairly. Democrats must win in November. Our nation’s leader must have wisdom and experience. The prize in 2016 is the future of the United States.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Novels available on Amazon’s Kindle