So the question naturally arises as it undoubtedly has done long ago for Springsteen himself: What's next? Springsteen can choose to radicalize his left-wing position. He can indirectly reply to his Republican critics, that he is just as disappointed by their persistent voting for Bush as they may be by his political engagement. And he can welcome their boycott as an opportunity to finally free his music from misunderstandings and false supporters. Unless the Bush administration should suffer a sudden decline in popularity and eventually evaporate like a bad nightmare about American identity (not as improbable a scenario as i may sound, and presumably the one hoped for by the Vote for Change artists), this direction would seriously alter the significance of Bruce Springsteen as an American symbol. He would have to cope with an entirely new role as being a controversial figure at home, and in that situation it's not unthinkable that he would gradually turn more to his European audience.
Another possible strategy is to back out of the political controversies. Springsteen could try to maintain his broad appeal by radically shifting the focus of his songwriting away from political issues - thereby implicitly admitting that the Vote for Change concerts overstepped the line between art and politics. Since Springsteen is no turncoat, it doesn't seem very probable that he will choose this direction. But on the other hand, he might very well be susceptible to moral and political reasons, e. g. about healing the wounds of the nation and overcoming the present polarization of the political climate. Anyway, knowing Springsteen's simple warmth and distinct need to connect to people one can hardly expect his reaction towards the Republican fans to end up in a downright rejection - something like a "Buzz off! Find some other idol to harass!". So he might very well be searching for some kind of compromise between firmness of principles and loyalty to friendship.
Off course, Devils & Dust shouldn't be anticipated as the great synthesis able to reconcile all opinions of the troubled American public. And even regarding Springsteen's personal choice of direction in the present political context Devils & Dust can't be expected to deliver the final answer. But the new album can be expected to offer a hint as to where Springsteen is heading. Indeed, as we initially stated, it must be expected to do so.