We're gonna need a New Misery Index, I surmise.......
We have ever-increasing deficit spending which will lead to inflation, rising interest rates and diminishing access to credit, and on top of it the Dems are bound and determined to let the Bush tax cuts expire, a defacto tax increase. Couple inflation, excessive borrowing, and de-stimulation of the economy through tax increases (which will decrease revenue and hence drive even MORE deficit spending) and we will indeed see the return of the glorious Carter years.
McCain, Obama, and Clinton will all let this happen. Their idea of stimulating the economy is to let taxes go up and "give" us a check back, less the cost of all the bureaucracy. I don't think Romney would let it happen because he understands how the economy effects people in the private sector so can see the impact of tax increases and deficit driven inflation much more clearly than the permanent political class can. If we can't get him, I believe we will see the economy tank. Whoever wins will then be a one term president.