Anyone want to guess how many more Shuttle flights there will be?
And how long ISS will be manned?
I wouldn't be surprised to see a PR campaign started against the Shuttle, a mild demonizing, by whoever is elected in November.
And possibly, just possibly, more money to the Russians to keep up ISS, in order to satisfy international considerations. After all, a lot of countries have money in that thing.
The Russians could build Clipper, and keep the thing occupied.
And the US would be free to go on a manned Moon and Mars quest.
Or, we can have a Shuttle.
Arf (for God's sake, I know it's oversimplified.)