Should I ask for a promotion?

A little background info first: I have been working for the company for just over a year. The boss who hired me left the company two months ago (before my anniversary) and the new boss came two weeks after. Most of the people in my dept got promoted to senior position after one-year’s service. I was told during before hired they could do my evaluation after 6 months, they didn’t and I didn’t ask. Now it’s my anniversary, but nobody has mentioned my anniversary evaluation. If I don’t bring up the topic or get the promotion, I will be one of the very few people who don’t get promoted after one year, and I don’t believe I deserve that.

In addition to the above, my arguments for the promotion are I am not only doing everything my predecessor does but lots of stuff he didn’t. And he was a senior, of course.

My concerns are the timing for asking a promotion. The economy and job market are bad, and my company is not doing so well especially during the recent two months. During a recent layoff I was luck enough being kept (one out of 3 people had to go). Another catch is a project I am responsible for doesn’t go as well as expected for reasons not totally under my control.

I feel I should at least ask the possibility. I’ve scheduled a meeting with the big boss (he is the one who made the decision keeping during the layoff, and my immediate boss has not been here long enough) but now I am not sure what to talk to him about. The bottom line is I don’t want to sound negative and I want to know where I am standing for, promotion speaking.

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.