We're in a lot more trouble than they will admit - until it strikes them.
Here's what is apt to happen. If this present idiot in the White House manages to deep-six the economy the Democrats will put up a farther left candidate who will win. The turnout will be lousey because the choice presented to the American people will be between death by lethal injection (Bush) and death by hanging (Democrat). When the Democrats win the Republicans will decide it is because they were not far enough left to take votes from the Democrats and the Republicans will run Trotsky for president the next election.
The only way out of this senario is if Bush is still in a crisis and war environment. If such an evironment does not exist it will be a repeat of the Bush senior fiasco and the suckers can still somehow blame Ross Perot.