Political Analyst: Senator Frank’s odds are low in the upcoming electi

Political Analyst: Senator Frank’s odds are low in the upcoming elections. The incumbent contestant seemingly had a clear political style of avoiding foes. When the conservatives pressed hard on their demand, Senator Frank gave in, when the liberals pressed hard, he did not disappoint. As a result, he, indeed, made no foes but his dilly-dally approach won him no friends either. With the self-earned reputation of a soft leader, he must see the writing on the wall.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

Political analyst starts by giving his/her opinion about Senator Frank first. The first bold statement tells about the basis of the opinion. The sentence in between the two bold statements talks about ‘how’ of the basis(first bold statement). ‘As a result’ in the second bold statement points out conclusion of the analyst. The statement tells about the ways in which Senator Frank avoided foes. Thus, the two bold statements are related to each other without any opposition. Finally, the last sentence states final conclusion(position) of the argument. Hence second bold statement is kind of sub-conclusion in the argument.

A. The first is a position that the argument seeks to challenge; the second is a judgment in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish. – WRONG. The argument nowhere challenges first bold statement.
B. The first is a premise that has been used to support the position that the argument seeks to challenge; the second is a judgment that weakens that position. – WRONG. Analyst posits in the final sentence but doesn’t challenges first(premise).
C. The first is the only explicit conclusion in the argument; the second is a premise that supports that conclusion. – WRONG. Even if it is true to say that first is a conclusion and second supports that, the final sentence contradicts the argument. Hence this one fails on Cause and Effect application.
D. The first is a premise that has been used to support the prediction that the argument seeks to make; the second is a judgment that, if true, will support the prediction. – CORRECT. The first one is a premise and the second a judgment(sub-conclusion) which supports the prediction(final conclusion).
E. The first is a premise that has been used to support the conclusion that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that conclusion. – WRONG. This is the closest to correct answer since both statements are in line to each other but only to support final conclusion. Second one is not a conclusion.

IMO Answer(D)
I hope this is correct explanation.