[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
As to Obamacare: Given the public polling numbers on Obamacare’s popularity, do you think it was mandate or overreach? At less than 38% popularity, it appears like overreach to me.[/quote]

I think it was neither. I’ve said before, congressional dems suck at politics. Polling on almost every feature of the ACA is positive (with the exception of the mandate). So the republican’s goal of making “Obamacare” his waterloo was at least temporarily successful. It’s messaging was effective. Most people disliked Obamacare, but they love the features of health care reform.

On the larger question..did he have a mandate? Eh. Healthcare reform was part of his campaign platform. So was exiting Iraq and ramping up Afghanistan. He won. Irrespective of the margin, I think the argument can be made that if he campaigned on those issues and won, he had a mandate.

What else is a politician going to do? Say “I won, but I didn’t win by that many votes, so I’m not really gonna do shit while I’m here”?

Somewhat relatedly, I’m sure Rick Santorum will be looking for a mandate as soon as he drops out. Probably hasn’t had one for at least the last year.