Hubdub’s Hot Predictions this week, as decided by Hubdub users and staff, are selected based on their newsworthiness for the week. These stories are bound to be big news this week - and we have forecasts on how they’re likely to turn out.

Politics

With all the ‘HubBub’ about Obama’s cabinet last week, most of the major picks have been named, but rumors run rampant regarding whether Obama will actually create new cabinet positions. Hubdub is forecasting with a 30% chance that 4 new positions will be created.

How many new cabinet positions will be created by Obama?

The new president is going to have to stay organized with the fate of the entire world on his shoulders. Too bad by 70% Hubdub forecasts Barack Obama won’t be able to keep his lovable blackberry organizer when he takes office. Guess he’ll use messenger pigeons or something so the terrorists don’t find out anything important.

WIll President Obama have to give up using his Blackberry once he takes office?

Financial Crisis

Looking at the Hubdub market on what the lowest close for the DJIA will be in 2008, there’s only one thing you can ascertain, we’re still headed for more disastrous days on the markets. Hubdub forecasts by 65% that the DJIA will close below 7,000 this year.

What will be the lowest close for the DJIA in 2008?

Thanksgiving Day Football

There’s nothing better than sitting down watching football on Thanksgiving. This 27th, one of the games to watch is the Tennessee Titans vs. the Detroit Lions. The Lions are almost assured defeat, but how bad will it be? Hubdub forecasts there’s a 30% chance it’s the Titans over the Lions by 15 to 28 points.

Will the Titans dine on Lions Thanksgiving Day 2008?

World News

Somalia is not the place for a Christmas vacation! It’s also not a good place to go boating, although if you want to be a modern pirate nowadays it’s the place to be… Joking aside in the continuing supertanker hijacking mess, Hubdub forecasts the ransom is paid, the ship & crew are released and the pirates get away.

What will be the outcome of the seizure of the Saudi supertanker Sirius Star?

Popularity: 13% [?]

The election might be over, but for the politics geeks out there the fun is nowhere near done! Everyone seems to be talking about who’ll be in Obama’s cabinet, but if you’re looking for the real numbers breakdown based on the wisdom of the crowds, look no further. We’ve already correctly predicted Rahm Emanuel as Obama’s Chief of Staff!

Secretary of State: Initially many suspected John Kerry, in recent days though his stock dropped significantly (less than 20% chance now), even being overtaken by Bill Richardson at one point. Hubdub forecasts though that Obama won’t pick either Richardson or Kerry instead he’ll look for someone else, not currently known.

Who will be Obama’s Secretary of State?

Secretary of Defense: Along with others, Hubdubbers see Robert Gates, the current SecDef to be continuing his role after Bush leaves. Gate’s price is over 50% which is a good indicator, and his closest competitor is Chuck Hagel at just 16%.

Who will be President Obama’s Secretary of Defense?

Attorney General: Janet Napolitano is the front runner for Attorney General. Some rumors from the beltway even point to Napolitano being quite happy with the possibility.

Who will be President Obama’s Attorney General?

Energy Secretary: For all the Schwarzenegger fans out there I’m sorry to say, but it’s unlikely we’ll get Arnie in the cabinet to ‘terminate’ global warming. However I’ll admit it’d be awesome!

Will Arnold Schwarzenegger be President Obama’s Energy Secretary?

Treasury Secretary: Although suggestions of either Paulson staying on or Obama adviser, friend and billionaire Warren Bufftet taking Paulson’s place were intriguing, Hubdub is forecasting Federal Reserve Bank of New York President Timothy Geithner will take the spot.

Who will be the selection of a new Treasury secretary under President Obama?

Other Notable Picks According to Hubdub Markets:

• Al Gore is unlikely to be included in a formal role in the Obama administration.
• Gregory Craig has over a 50% chance of being Obama’s National Security Adviser.
• The new Obama cabinet will only have two or three Republicans in it
• Neither Colin Powell or Linda Darling-Hammond are likely candidates for Secretary of Education.

To get the most up to date forecasts on likely picks for Obama’s cabinet check out our new RSS Feeds here.

Popularity: 15% [?]

Hubdub’s Hot Predictions this week, as decided by Hubdub users and staff, are selected based on their newsworthiness for the week. These stories are bound to be big news this week - and we have forecasts on how they’re likely to turn out.

Obama’s Cabinet

If Obama’s planning on changing how the world views Washington then besides himself his most important pick will be Secretary of State. Allot of buzz has surrounded John Kerry in the past week but for now he only has a 19% chance of being chosen.

Who will be Obama’s Secretary of State?

Obama has become a symbol to many of American bi-partisanship, but how bi-partisan is he really? A good indicator will likely be how many Republicans he has in his cabinet. For now it seems of the over 12 Cabinet positions, only 2 or 3 are forecast to be Republicans.

How many Republicans will be in President Obama’s cabinet?

One of those 2 or 3 Republicans in Obama’s cabinet is likely to be the Secretary of Defense. Right now Robert Gates the current Secretary of Defense by over 60% is predicted to be selected to carry on his position under Obama.

Who will be President Obama’s Secretary of Defense?

Business

The dropping price in oil is about the only good news for most Americans… but will OPEC allow oil to remain at these low prices, or will they take measures to reduce output and get the price back up?  Maybe not over $100, but perhaps solidly back into the $80-90 range? Right now the answer seems to be an unfortunate yes.

Will OPEC decide to lower its production quota at its Nov 18 meeting?

With the latest unemployment figures released, the possibility of reaching 7% has to be considered. Layoffs and job cuts are continuing to be announced and as the economy worsens, there may be a chance of seeing still higher numbers in the next few months. Sadly Hubdubbers forecast by 70% that we hit 7% before 2009.

Will the US unemployement rate exceed 7% at any point in 2009?

Sports

Will the Cowboys make the playoffs? There’s no simple answer to that question, but for now it looks good, with Hubdub forecasting by 59% that the Cowboys make it into the playoffs.

NFL - Will the Dallas Cowboys make the Playoffs?

Science

The Universe is really big and really wide and it has allot things in it, oddly enough though we still don’t know what it’s actually made of. Never fear though the scientists are on it! Unfortunately they’re not on it enough as Hubdub forecasts we still won’t know what the Universe is made of in 2009.

Will scientists discover what the Universe is made of in 2009?

World News

Not everyone hates the EU, but it’s not like the EU knows how to make friends. Take for example regulations on the permitted sizes, lengths and ‘bendiness’ for farm produce. I mean seriously, who cares! Fortunately by 77% Hubdub forecasts the EU hears the logic of reason and scraps this silly regulation.

Will the EU lift the ban on “strangely shaped” fruits and vegetables?

Entertainment

Everyone loves Harry Potter, maybe a bit too much in some cases… But in terms of the first Harry Potter movie which raked in 90 million in its opening weekend, how will the new fantasy challenger Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer’s compare? Hubdubbers forecast there’s a 62% chance Twilight only rakes in a measly 22.5 million to 45 million in its opening weekend.

Mythological Matchup: Vampires vs Wizards, who is the victor?

Could you see Oprah as a politician…? Thankfully it seems we have consensus on this question, with Hubdub giving Oprah only a 15% chance of being called upon to be a US ambassador!

Will President Obama offer a position of US Ambassador to Oprah Winfrey ?

Popularity: 7% [?]