2017 Prognostication Quiz: Questions 5 and 6, Writing and France

5. Writing (April 10)

Fourteen of the 21 Pulitzer Prizes are awarded for journalism. Some awards are given to the newspaper as a whole and some are given to individual reporters, but the newspaper is always mentioned. If an award is shared, both newspapers are considered to be named. The winners of the past 16 years are listed (ties are possible).

Which newspaper will win the most Pulitzers?
a. The Washington Post (5)
b. The New York Times (8)
c. The Wall Street Journal (3)
d. The Los Angeles Times (5)
e. another news organization will be named the most times (1)

The New York Times managed to win three Pulitzers this year. The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal each won one this year, while the Los Angeles Times was shut out. This means the answer to Question 5 of the 2017 Prognostication Quiz is C.

The New York Times has been dominant over the past five or six years. This year they won for International Reporting (on Vladimir Putin's activities in projecting Russia's power abroad), Feature Writing (on a Marine's postwar descent into mental illness and violence), and Breaking News Photography (covering the Philippines government's crackdown on drug dealers and users, see picture).

Faithful Readers

Michael A.

Stuart P.

Marcus S.

Cameron M.

Stacey C.

Stephanie A.

Janet C.

Rachel H.

Ben S.

Eric M.

Larry A.

Grant M.

Nadir Y.

Ellen Y.

Keila B.

Collette T.

Leanne S.

Liz K.

Katie M.

Miriam S.

6. France (April 23)

France holds its presidential election on April 23, with a run-off on May 7 if no one gets a majority of votes in the first round. François Fillon and Marine Le Pen are the current favorites to advance to a run-off.

Who will be the next President of France?
a. François Fillon (Republican)
b. Marine Le Pen (National Front)
c. Emmanuel Macron (En Marche)
d. A Socialist (primary being held in January)
e. Jean-Luc Mélenchon (Left)
f. another party will win the Presidency

After François Fillon's crazy collapse into multiple scandals all at once and the rejection of the far-right Marine Le Pen, France was turned over to Emmanuel Macron and his relatively new En Marche party. This means the answer to Question 6 is C.

A hearty congratulations to the two Quiz entrants who read the journalistic tide of scandal reporting that brought down the Republican. Quite an impressive feat.

The Centrist Seers

Sarah T.

Cameron M.

Leaderboard

Last post there were 5 people tied for first. Now it is down to two, and miraculously, I seem to be at the top. This is the first time I have ever lead a leaderboard this late. Congratulations to my co-leader Stuart P., as well.

Behind the top two is a massive 11-way tie for third place. Special kudos to Sarah T. and Cameron M., who clawed their way into third place with the farsighted call of President Macron.

Next up is 7. Kenya. In preference polls for August's election, answer A. Uhuru Kenyatta has a 5-point lead over his main challenger, answer B. Raila Odinga. Everyone in first or third place on the leaderboard chose Kenyatta to stay in power. A win for Odinga would most help Larry A., Ron D., and Jason C., who would move up into a 14-way tie for third place.

I will have to wait until the Nobel Prizes in October to strike a blow at my enemy Stuart P.

Rank	Score	Name
1	4	Michael A.
2	4	Stuart P.
3	3	Matthew D.
4	3	Marcus S.
5	3	Chris M.
6	3	Sarah T.
7	3	Cameron M.
8	3	Stacey C.
9	3	Stephanie A.
10	3	Janet C.
11	3	Rachel H.
12	3	Ben S.
13	3	Chris C.
14	2	Rachel F.
15	2	Eric M.
16	2	Larry A.
17	2	John E.
18	2	Zachary S.
19	2	Grant M.
20	2	Ron D.
21	2	Megan J.
22	2	Jeff C.
23	2	Nadir Y.
24	2	Ellen Y.
25	2	Keila B.
26	2	Collette T.
27	2	Jan M.
28	2	Todd C.
29	2	Leanne S.
30	1	Liz K.
31	1	Peter M.
32	1	Jenny A.
33	1	Katie M.
34	1	Ekrem S.
35	1	Miriam S.
36	1	Bill C.
37	1	Ryan M.
38	1	Jason C.
39	1	Valerie M.
40	1	Paul K.
41	1	Pamela C.
42	0	Missy A.