It’s been said (though I can’t confirm) that McCain said long ago he won’t serve more than one term. So if he wins, and this is true, he’s definitely out.
If Palin needs to take over as POTUS after a McCain victory, it’s anybody’s guess. Although IMO, I’m not sure the average voter would be that happy with her after a few years of her running things, mostly because of the inexperience issue. Just my instinct; I could be wrong.
If Obama wins, he’ll be in inheriting such a huge economic mess that it’s hard to see how he’ll avoid being tarred with it in four years, since very few seem to think it’ll be totally fixed by then, and he may have to break campaign promises along the way because of the enormity of it. Plus, conservatives hate him at a Clinton (Bush for liberals) level, and will do their best to highlight his every misstep (and remind people ENDLESSLY of his previous).
Is there any way any of these people will serve a second term?