But some opponents predicted that he would find a way to end up in the race.
Again, opponents in the hospital industry predicted chaos from his original plan.
The bill, they say, will not have the dire effects that opponents predict.
Opponents predict that a law would spell the end of political parties as we know them.
And the Mayor's political opponents immediately predicted the worst yesterday.
Opponents predicted that the bill would lead to thousands of fires and injuries.
Opponents of the death penalty predicted that the delay would work in their favor.
Opponents predict that the stadium effort will then lose momentum and die.
Cut off from further supplies of ammunition, they were now useless - as his opponents had predicted.
But opponents of the measure predicted a different outcome.