David Hartung
2025-01-17 19:13:44 UTC
...as the term is *always* taken to mean in politics.
"Sir, the truth is, that the reelection of the president proves as little an
approbation by the people of all the opinions he may hold … as it would prove
that if the president had a carbuncle … they meant, by reelecting him, to
approve of his carbuncle."
Henry Clay to Andrew Jackson when Jackson claimed to hold a "mandate" following
reelection in 1832.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/01/17/donald-trump-inauguration-executive-orders/
Trump has a technical legal mandate to run the executive branch. Trump does
*not* have a political mandate. *Always*, in politics, an election winner is
said to have a mandate when he won an *overwhelming* popular vote victory. That
is what the word means — *always*. Trump did not win a big popular vote victory.
In fact, the insurrectionist didn't even win a majority.
Trump does not have a (political) mandate. This is settled.
"Sir, the truth is, that the reelection of the president proves as little an
approbation by the people of all the opinions he may hold … as it would prove
that if the president had a carbuncle … they meant, by reelecting him, to
approve of his carbuncle."
Henry Clay to Andrew Jackson when Jackson claimed to hold a "mandate" following
reelection in 1832.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/01/17/donald-trump-inauguration-executive-orders/
Trump has a technical legal mandate to run the executive branch. Trump does
*not* have a political mandate. *Always*, in politics, an election winner is
said to have a mandate when he won an *overwhelming* popular vote victory. That
is what the word means — *always*. Trump did not win a big popular vote victory.
In fact, the insurrectionist didn't even win a majority.
Trump does not have a (political) mandate. This is settled.