A Mandate – Or Opportunity?

The Republicans are properly ecstatic over last week’s thumping of the Democrats.  Some are even proclaiming the result as a mandate for a conservative agenda.

Is that so?  Unlikely.  The GOP campaign mantra for the midterms was akin to Bill Clinton’s 1992 Presidential bid.  “It’s about the economy stupid.”  This time “Obama” replaced economy.  No wonder.

Election eve polling showed that 56% of the voters disapproved of the President’s performance.  Of those disapproving, 82% voted for Republican congressional polls, according to exit polls.
 

Ironically, in light of Administration efforts to pin public discontent with Washington gridlock on Congressional Republicans, those voters who are hostile to Congress voted GOP 51% to 47%.  Evidently, voters realized that Congress’ poor performance was more appropriately laid at the feet of Senate Democrats led by Harry Reid.

Further, 33% of those supporting Republicans stated that their intention of voting for the GOP was to show unhappiness with the President.  Only 19% of those favoring Democrats wanted their vote to be considered as support for Obama. 

So what do these numbers mean?  Voters focused on punishing both incumbents and challengers who were Democrats and, hence, supporters of the President, notwithstanding protestations of many such candidates about “Obama who?”

Clearly the electorate turned thumbs down on the President, as polls reflected.  Yet other polls established that Republicans in Washington aren’t popular, either.

The reasons for the broad dissatisfaction with Washington are  straightforward.  Problems fester.  Budget deficits grow.  Economic malaise spreads.  Out-of-control entitlements expand.  Promises are not kept.  Hopes are dashed.  So cynicism abounds against both parties.
 

Yes, the Democrats are blamed more.  But with the Republicans, soon to be in charge of the entire Congress, that verdict is subject to rapid change. 

In a sense, perhaps the GOP did receive a mandate, albeit a negative one.  “Don’t be like President Obama and the Democrats!”  So, more accurately, what voters handed Republicans on Nov. 4 is the opportunity to be different.   Show America that right-of-center government is best for the country.  And maybe that will lead to success in 2016, too.

Call it real hope and change.