Stress Test: Suze Orman

Suze Orman is a best-selling author and host of a self-titled call-in show on CNBC. When it comes to personal finance with a drop of tough love, she's American's unofficial sweetheart.

But in a year replete with backtracking and bad calls, the very notion of financial punditry has been called into question.

We gave Ms. Orman a stress test to evaluate the solvency of her advice.

Rallying Efforts	Approach To Investing	Credibility	Show Enders	Influence
Suze Orman: Convinced a legion of viewers to support public television.	Suze Orman: Plays it safe with conservative AAA bonds.	Suze Orman: Tells viewers straight out they can't afford a yacht on a $32,000-a-year salary.	Suze Orman: "People first, then money, then things." Sounds like a rudimentary checklist prior to a road trip.	Suze Orman: Despite trademark haircut, very few women are adopting the "Suze Orman look."
Rick Santelli: Instigated dozens of "tea parties" after a barely coherent rant at the Chicago Board of Trade.	Lou Dobbs: If you're a captain of industry looking to outsource, it's best not to ask ol' Lou for advice.	Jon Stewart: His "dabbing forehead with necktie" gimmick hides a lack of real-world solutions.	Paul Kangas: "Wishing all of you the best of good buys!" Believe it or not, this was coined by a Muppet.	Hoofy & Boo: Because of these likable critters, Minyanville fans have grown fonder of real-life bulls and bears - which has led to numerous maulings.
Edge: Suze Orman	Edge: Suze Orman	Edge: Suze Orman	Edge: Paul Kangas	Edge: Hoofy & Boo: