Symantec CEO John Thompson as Commerce Secretary nominee?

Judgment made on Feb. 25, 2009: President Barack Obama picked former Washington Gov. Gary Locke as his third choice for Commerce Secretary. The community has correctly judged this prediction as incorrect. -- The Industry Standard

Original prediciton: President Obama is now 0-2 for Commerce Secretary nominees. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico withdrew his name from consideration on Jan. 4 because of a grand jury investigation into a state contract.

Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire (R) stunned the Obama administration when he dropped out of consideration on Feb. 13. Gregg said he had "irresovable conflicts" over Obama's stimulus package. 

The job to revive the U.S. economy is open again. Some tech heavyweights have been tossed around as possible Commerce Secretary nominees including former FCC chairman Reed Hundt and Google's Eric Schmidt, who refused to leave Google to serve as chief technology officer.

Symantec CEO John Thompson was rumored to be on Obama's shortlist when Richardson withdrew. Thompson's name has come up again since Gregg has pulled out.

Prediction: President Obama nominates Symantec CEO John Thompson as Commerce Secretary by March 1.

Image: Symantec