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THE BIG QUESTION — Tuesday, Dec. 23

by The Hill - 12/23/08 10:24 AM ET

The Big Question is a feature where influential lawmakers, pundits and interest group leaders give their answers to a question that’s driving discussion in news circles around the country.

Today’s Big Question is:

Will 2009 be a better year than 2008, and why?

See responses below from Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, ATR President Grover Norquist, Americans United for Change President Brad Woodhouse, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, and J Street Executive Director Jeremy Ben-Ami.

Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, said:

The next year may be bad news for the majority of Americans concerned about government corruption.

Expect an attack, orchestrated by Obama allies and agents, on Patrick Fitzgerald as he digs deeper in corruption in Obama’s home state. Read the full response

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, said:

This coming year, 2009 will have certain advantages over 2008. On the most important front I get to spend all year with our new daughter Grace Salam who joined our family from Bethlehem half way through 2008.

On the economic front, most of the drop in the stock market has already taken place. Read the full response

Brad Woodhouse, president of Americans United for Change, said:

2008 was a year when Americans demanded change, and 2009 will be the year for action. After a White House that turned a blind eye for too long to our nation’s economic problems, President Elect Barack Obama and congressional leaders are putting forward a strong jobs and economic recovery plan that will put in place the building blocks to kick start our economy. Read the full response here.

Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP, said:

2009 will be a better year than 2008 beginning on Inauguration Day – (1) because George Bush and company will no longer be in charge; (2) because Barack Obama and company will. That change alone is enough to signal a change from worst to better.

Jeremy Ben-Ami, executive director of J Street, said:

2009 has to be better than 2008, doesn’t it? I’ll leave economic commentary to others, but on the broader world stage, this just has to be a better year for the simple fact that we’ll have a president willing to engage in active diplomacy and who will reestablish America as a pragmatic and positive player on the world stage in addressing the myriad global challenges we face. Read the whole response here.