Current projections suggest that in the July 10 referendum to select a new Syrian president, 34-year-old ophthalmologist Bashar Assad, son of the late Hafez Assad, will receive 99.9 percent of the votes. What is it that most accounts for his anticipated landslide? 

Send your answer by 6 p.m. ET Thursday to newsquiz@slate.com.

Monday's Question (No. 447)—"Wise Crackers":

Praising the decision by Philip Morris, owner of Kraft Foods, to buy Nabisco, retail consultant Burt Flickinger said, "Kraft's biggest issue is having too many products that are in categories, like cheese, with declining consumption. Nabisco is in one of the few fast-growing expandable areas." What area is that?

"Cheez."—Tim Carvell (Marya Grandy had a similar answer.)

"Ritz Crack."—Francis Heaney (similarly, Anthony Wright)

"Last meals for death row prisoners in Texas."—Greg Steffensen

"Bob Hope shiva platters."—Charlie Glassenberg

" 'Fast-growing expandable areas.' Heh heh."—Daniel "Jon Zerolnick & Josh Kamensky" Radosh

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