Ellen Goodman: Often wrong, but never in doubt

New research shows why political prognosticators are so seldom right

BOSTON -- This is the week when wise men bearing gifts are replaced by wise guys bearing lists. The news is full of the Best and Worst, the Ins and Outs, the Screw-ups and Fess-ups of 2005, not to mention the Predictions for 2006.

We have long followed the tradition by cleaning our slate of old mistakes in preparation for a fresh crop. This annual project is aided and abetted by vigilant readers, the sort who are quick to remind us that the world was created in six days, not seven -- on the seventh day He rested -- and that Vermonters do so eat pickles with their maple syrup.