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No wave, no mandate
By Paul Waldman November 3 at 1:36 PM
With Republicans increasingly likely to take the Senate, we can be sure of one thing: Whether their victory is narrow or enormous, Republicans will claim a sweeping mandate to enact a radical shift in policy on pretty much any issue that they care about. The American people have spoken, theyll say. This was a wave that swept us into power and washed away Barack Obamas right to pursue his agenda.
We should be extremely skeptical of that claim, for a number of reasons.
The first is that it isnt really looking like much of a wave. Every election analyst projects that Republicans will pick up a few seats in the House maybe five, maybe ten but nothing like the 63 seats they gained in 2010 or the 54 they netted in 1994. If they manage to take the Senate, it will be because most of the incredibly close races this year tipped their way in the end. Which would undoubtedly be a victory, but it would be hard to argue that the GOP squeaking out wins in deep-red states in the South and adding a couple in swing states like Iowa or Colorado represents some huge shift in public sentiment.
New polling data suggests that even if Republicans do take the Senate, were hardly looking at a GOP wave. The final pre-election poll from NBC News and the Wall Street Journal was released today, and it shows the two parties nearly deadlocked (46-45 in Republicans favor) in the generic ballot test among likely voters. Democratic voters interest in the campaign has risen to match Republicans, and approval of the GOP as a party remains abysmal. Theres also evidence to suggest that turnout will be low.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/11/03/no-wave-no-mandate/
JEB
(4,748 posts)the way Republicans have blocked, diluted and perverted nearly every thing in the Senate? I hope so, but I have my doubts.
spanone
(135,632 posts)walkingman
(7,507 posts)directed at the Obama administration, constant blaming of all our problems on government, and in my case (live in Texas) nothing nice to ever say about any Democrat. If I hadn't seen the huge damage created by our last GOP majority, Bush administration, I am just about ready to say - it's your baby - fix it.
The propaganda machine is at full blast and the white folks are really stirred up. I see nothing good that will come from this but I personally blame those of us that call ourselves Democrats for not demanding more. All I ever hear these days is "Tea Party, Guns, God, and Muslims" - this nation has become unsophisticated.
Peace
deaniac21
(6,747 posts)didn't exist 10 years ago...
emulatorloo
(43,979 posts)Poster's point is pretty clear despite the math error
Response to kpete (Original post)
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gratuitous
(82,849 posts)The popular media will obediently repeat that claim, and it will become the basis for all kinds of reporting on the political scene for the next two years. Every time Democrats stand up for the citizens and common sense against Republican demagoguery, the media will pointedly question why Democrats are being such obstructionists, and don't they respect the will of the people? They will, of course, completely forget Republican blocking of anything during the past six years, focusing instead on some mythical mandate. I hope Democrats stand up for their principles, but given their craven politicking during the campaign season, color me not too hopeful.
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)as far as they can with it.
You can bet attempts to change the rules of the senate would be shaped to meet whatever majority the R's have.
And the R's needing the teahadists will be putting in some really sourballs in the legislative packages that include items that must get passed...like the budget.