# Mandates and manure **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 11, 2002, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandates-and-manure/136223 "2002-11-11T02:54:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandates-and-manure/136223/1 "2002-11-11T02:54:36Z")
It’s started again. First there was the aftermath of Bush’s win in 2000\*, when various disappointed factions were frothing about his lack of a mandate. “He can’t do that! He doesn’t have a _mandate!_” And now that the Republicans have pulled out a close election to win both houses of Congress, the carping has begun again. For example, there’s today’s Sunday _N.Y. Times_ editorial on pending judicial appointments. Bush is sternly warned to avoid putting up candidates with views that reflect the extreme bent of members of his party. Because, after all, he doesn’t have a _mandate_. This is bullshit. To review, Bush and his followers have not been overly troubled by their lack of a _mandate_. They have cheerfully assumed that power is theirs to wield, and they don’t particularly care about how close their wins have been. It is stupid and self-destructive for Democrats and/or the Left to continue whining about the absence of a _mandate_. For one thing, it makes them look like a bunch of whining losers - not a good way to win sympathy and support from the electorate. For another, it is a continuing distraction from the task at hand - building support for candidates and positions that will win back power. You can continue to manifest disbelief and dismay that your opponents are ruthless enough to advance their goals, and marinate in your self-pity, or you can accept your losses and move on. As for judgeships: If Bush and his people advance candidates whose extreme views threaten abortion rights, the environment or whatever - do not waste time bleating about whether they have the right to do such a nasty thing. Instead, mobilize and **fight** those appointments. Raise hell. Filibuster when no other course is viable. Make your objections clear and use them to highlight your own progressive positions (I realize this is a revolutionary concept for some Dems, but give it thought). The days of courtesy votes for bad appointments should be long gone. If I hear any more whining crap about the _mandate_, I’m a-gonna barf. Or at least stop reading the _Times_. \*As for those still denying that Bush won and manifesting this delusion by actions such as going to Al Gore events and addressing him as “President Gore” - you are probably long past the point where aggressive psychiatric intervention will help. But seek commitment anyway. You’re a hindrance to rational action. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandates-and-manure/136223/2 "2002-11-11T04:48:38Z")
Jerry Falwell sez it was a mandate, in this week’s “Confidential Fax”. As far as I can tell, there isn’t any way to get back issues of this on his website, so once he takes it down, it’s gone. So here it is, for posterity. [http://www.falwell.com/confiden/](http://www.falwell.com/confiden/) > [@](#): > > _A weekly fax briefing for America’s pastors and Christian leaders who may use this information without attribution. This fax is made available, without charge, to the 162,000 evangelical pastors who are part of the “Friends of Jerry Falwell Support Circle.”_ > > Falwell Confidential > > DATE: November 7, 2002 > FROM: Jerry Falwell > BUSH WINS … WHAT NEXT? > > The nation’s mainstream media has been dancing around the actuality of what happened on Tuesday, when the Republican Party defied history by claiming unprecedented victories. This was a political mandate, wherein the American people obviously expressed their trust in their president. > > Thanks to the leadership of President George W. Bush, who was willing to put his political reputation on the line, the GOP message of permanently lowering taxes to stimulate the economy, bolstering our homeland defense and advancing solutions for fixing Social Security was heard by the American people. > > Campaign for Working Families Chairman Gary Bauer noted, “The liberal media would have had a field day spinning a Republican loss as a major black eye for the president.” > > President Bush understood the potential cost of seeing his endorsed candidates lose. Nevertheless, he courageously traveled across the nation to advance the campaigns of the leaders who will allow him to pursue his domestic policies while also fighting the war on terror that continues to threaten our nation and the world. > > Mr. Bush now has the opportunity to seize the agenda on Capitol Hill in a fashion virtually no one predicted prior to Tuesday’s election. Even Democrats must respect this bold accomplishment. > > Actually, Democrats are too busy licking their wounds right now to appreciate the political juggernaut that shook the nation. > > House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt is the first casualty, announcing he will step down. Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe will almost certainly follow suit, his political career possibly in ruins. > > One of the challengers for Mr. Gephardt’s job is House Minority Whip Nancy Pelosi - a liberal’s liberal. She reportedly has the support of more than 100 House Democrats. I, for one, hope she gets the job. Such a move would prove to voters that this is the party of the left. Tuesday’s mass triumph illustrates that this is a losing scenario. > > Apparently, Democrats have not grasped what actually happened in the momentous election on Tuesday. > > Meanwhile, it is apparent that the American people want the Republicans to get down to brass tacks in terms of addressing the chief political concerns that face our nation. > > Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi has already stated that, with the GOP in control of both houses, the traffic jam of bills that has plagued Congress will be broken. He said that three legislative agendas must be immediately addressed: homeland security, the economy and - great news to Christians - partial-birth abortion. Outgoing Majority Leader Tom Daschle had refused to bring up a vote on partial-birth abortion after the House passed a ban on the horrifying procedure. > > “I will call it up, we will pass it, and the president will sign it,” said Mr. Lott, sounding like the statesman he needs to be, in an interview with American Family Radio. “I’m making that commitment - you can write it down.” > > I can guarantee that if Mr. Lott will lead the Senate with boldness and clarity, he will earn the loyal support of conservative Americans in this nation. Mr. Bush earned a mandate on Tuesday. It’s now time for the Republican leadership to follow his gutsy lead and aggressively press for the passage pro-life, pro-family bills. > > There’s an important “what’s next?” question for conservative people of faith, as well. > > I know for a fact that untold numbers of Christians prayed and fasted over this election. And I believe God has honored our prayers. It is now our responsibility to fervently keep President Bush and the Senate and House leadership in our prayers. > > President Bush is not a savior. He is a flawed man, like you and me. But I believe he is a godly and upright man who truly wants what is best for this nation. He is following in the path laid down by Ronald Reagan. > > Please join me in praying that God will sustain and strengthen President Bush as he embarks on this exciting new phase of his presidency. > > _Each Week, Dr. Jerry Falwell Sends An E-Mail News Summary Of The Hottest Issues Going On In Washington, D.C. And Across The Nation. Sign Up For Your FREE suscription to the Falwell Confidential e-mail._ So, see, it was more than a mandate–it was a “momentous political juggernaut”, and you missed it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandates-and-manure/136223/3 "2002-11-11T06:00:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jackmannii \* > \*\* > > \*As for those still denying that Bush won and manifesting this delusion by actions such as going to Al Gore events and addressing him as “President Gore” - you are probably long past the point where aggressive psychiatric intervention will help. But seek commitment anyway. You’re a hindrance to rational action. \*\* Of course he \* won, \* Jack, he just wasn’t \* elected. \* The rest of your post is pretty much right in content, if unnecessarily contentious in tone. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandates-and-manure/136223/4 "2002-11-11T08:23:31Z")
Doesn’t matter if had a mandate. He has the job, and the power comes with the title. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandates-and-manure/136223/5 "2002-11-11T12:37:12Z")
What the hell is a mandate supposed to do anyway? OOOH, if Bush had a mandate, he could do anything he wanted? The Dems would just let him pass any law or resolution he proposed? Nonsense. Nobody in DC stops doing their jobs, or stops thinking what they think because someone has a “mandate”. It’s just another phony issue that the media can discuss as if it is important. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandates-and-manure/136223/6 "2002-11-11T12:54:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stoid \* > \*\* > > Of course he \* won, \* Jack, he just wasn’t \* elected. \* > > The rest of your post is pretty much right in content, if unnecessarily contentious in tone. \*\* Stop it Stoid, you’re going to blow out my irony meter. 😃 There’s extensive space in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) on denial syndromes. Most are rather harmless, but this one gets in the way of meaningful responses (hint: what concerted action has the Democratic Party taken to reform the election process so that presidential candidates who get elected have actually received a majority of the popular vote?). Duck, if you actually are on Falwell’s e-mail list, you’ve got serious problems. I’ll never complain about my spam again. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandates-and-manure/136223/7 "2002-11-11T15:41:17Z")
Naw, I went and _looked_ for this, believe it or not. 😃 I read your OP and said to myself, “I wonder what the Rev. Falwell has to say about the election,” Googled “Falwell mandate” and glory be, somebody somewhere had this quoted and linked on his web page.