The next presidency is a poisoned chalice.

Bush has managed to set up a scene in which the next presidency is simply a poisoned chalice that only the truly brave or foolhardy would want.

Obviously, they inherit a war. Bush only recently admitted that a pullout date would be determined by a future president. Even the costs of the war which were estimated to be as low as 1.7 billion are now a quarter of a trillion dollars!

Spending has been conducted in a reckless manner, the national debt has risen to a near unserviceable 8.3 trillion and rising.

The 'Patriot' act has been renewed, as laws banning assault weapons been allowed to lapse.

Tax cuts have been given to the wealthy, under the pretense of stimulating growth.

Job growth has consistently failed to meet expectations, and real incomes have gone down.

What about the political scenario the next president walks into?

It is argueable that a large percentage of the right has been, to a degree, radicalised. Sub-sections of the right, such as the christian right have become a significant force in politics.

Talk of the US officially becoming a christian state, and the 800 year old concept of a wall between church and state is being dismantled.

Acceptable public discourse now includes open talk of killing the opposition to whatever it is they are ranting about. (Coulter, Robertson).

The respect of law from the government has been significantly eroded through illegal wiretaps, shooting individuals without proper reporting, authorising torture and imprisoning individuals without charge or trial

Civil liberties have been questioned, and in some cases rolled back in states (South Dakota)

Voter confidence in the legitimacy and openess of elections have been eroded.

The media has been beaten into submission and in some cases like Fox, nothing more than a defacto organ of the administration. The 'liberal bias' that the media allegedly has is touted by just about everyone in the media... about every one else in the media.

In the heirachy of nasty labels, being a 'liberal' is only a step above being a terrorist. Of course, anyone not kow-towing to the administration line is a liberal.

The right wing is no longer interested in conservative politics or truth, simply power.

I strongly believe that whoever actually gets into power will have a significant effect on the future of US politics for a generation to come.

If a Democrat actually manages to develop spine enough and win, the right wing will literally crucify the left every step it takes to correct the mess.The right-wing demonisation will continue,and probably even increase beyond what it was during the Clinton impeachment and the current level of antagonisation. The likely outcome that even the best intentions of the next presidency won't fix much of the endemic problems will simply be yet more fuel for the right wing.

If another Republican takes power, we can expect more of the same. The interia of the right wing is extremely strong, and it would be a brave republican to actually attempt to temper let alone reverse the tide. The path of least resisteance would be to continue the lies, the debt and the pretenses, leaving it for a yet further presidency to solve.