By this time tomorrow the USA will either have a new president or for another 5 weeks there will be political bickering. In either case the President cannot avoid the following issues for too long.
Iraq: The USA stands alone on this issue and the news from Fallujah is not encouraging. Deadly attacks on civillian targets is denting the image of the USA which has retreated dueto the Abu Gharaib scandal. A way out must be found.
Economy:The huge federal deficit has to be curtailed and the economy kick started in order to provide jobs especially in the manufacturing sector.
Social Welfare: Medicare reform may have to be addressed in order to cover nearly6 million people.
Patriot Act: Several civilliberties groups have stated that freedoms taken for granted are being infringed upon. Let us say that this act must be more user friendly.
Environment: Kyoto Protocol has now been ratified by the Russians and therefore it may have to be looked into.
Foreign Policy: The whole of Europe is miffed at the unilateral stance of the US. Steps may have to be initiated to bring Germany, France and Russia on board in order to put pressure on Iran and its nuclearmambitions.
Against this background, any future administration has to tread cautiously. Building brudges and not wall may be the guiding spirit of the new administration. It will be fair to say that the whole world is tired of the Iraq War and hence apolicy of disengagement has much to commend itself.
Finally Israel: The declining health of Arfat will only lead to a power struggle in the Palestine AUTHORITY and this will lead at least in the short run to a great deal of violence in the West Bank. USA will have to reconsider its so called "road map" as the entire premise on which it is based is not being honored by the two main parties and the quartet.
Budget: The high vale of the dollar, the rising trade and budget deficit, the rising price of oil and the recession call for extremely innovative macro economic management. With the Feds staying the course we can expect more of the same.
Supreme Court: The next President islikely to appoint the Chief Justice and at least 3 supreme court justices. If Bush is reelected it is likely that certain rights particularly abortion will be reviewed.