The state of the economy has always been the best instrument for predicting either the reelection of the incumbent or a change of political parties in the White House.
Projections show that by 2050 California will have sent another 700 prisoners to death row and that over 500 will die of old age or natural causes before they can be executed. Since 1978, 21 inmates have committed suicide while awaiting death and 57 have died of natural causes.
Romney's effort to get ahead is worthless. Generally, in cases of external dispute the public opinion supports the current president at the time. Besides, foreign policy doesn't define the elections; the character and the cunning of the candidates are what define the future president.