Mendte – 2013 Looks Like A Hot Political Potato

NEW YORK, NY (WPIX) – You may think that with no national elections in 2013, we may finally be in store for a quiet year in politics. Oh no, no, no, no

First we have mayoral elections in several major cities, Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles, Houston, Seattle and New York City.  Where Mayor Michael Bloomberg will finish up 12 years running America`s largest and most powerful city. A number of big names have been bandied about to run to be America`s mayor including Alec Baldwin, Hillary Clinton and even Anthony Weiner.

But the polls say council President Christine Quinn is favored to not only become New York`S first woman mayor, but it`s first openly gay mayor.

Then there is Chris Christie.  Christie is expected to coast to re-election after getting high marks for his handling of the aftermath of hurricane sandy. Christie may ride re-election to a presidential bid in 2016.

Another governor who may run in 2016 faces a much tougher re-election.  Virginia Governor Bob Mcdonnell is a republican in a state that is becoming increasingly democratic.  The 2013 election will be watched closely to see if virginia is now a blue state.

The 2016 presidential election will loom large in 2013 as candidates jockey for position.  Florida senator Marco Rubio and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan are seen as the top two candidates.  But that could change if former Florida Governor Jeb Bush or Christie decide to run.

As for the democrats, it`s all about Hillary. Even republicans concede the secretary of state would be difficult to beat. Still, Clinton will eventually have to answer questions of her role in the state department bungling of the terrorist attack in Benghazi that left four Americans dead.

Other possible candidates for the democrats include New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Vice President Joe Biden who will be 74 in 2016.

Early in 2013 all eyes will be on congress as they first deal with whatever remains from the fiscal cliff, then gun control, a budget deficit reduction, immigration reform and tax code reform.

If the past decade of partisan bickering continues.  And there is no reason to think it won`t. Expect a lot of talk, a lot of accusations and very few results

That`s what you can expect. It is what we don`t expect that may frame politics in 2013.

Iran`s nuclear development, war in the Middle East, or god forbid another shooting, a terrorist attack or devastating act of nature like Sandy.

I know I am not giving you much hope for the new year. But, remember this every time things look bad heroes are born.

Teachers protecting school children in newtown connecticut, first responders  saving lives as sandy slammed ashore – and men and women in uniform defending america whenever they are called and wherever they need to go.

Here`s to the heroes of 2013. We are going to need you more than ever