What to do with a mandate

Authored by Michael Pate on November 5th, 2004 at 10:05 AM

Now that the President has a clear mandate after this last election, he has to decide what to do with it.

Let me put it to you this way: I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. - George W. Bush

The opposition will be fierce.

Progressives have only one course of action now: React quickly to every outrage—red state types love to cheat and intimidate, so we have to assume the worst and call them on it every time. - Jane Smiley

And bitter.

Had Kerry gotten us out of Iraq, he would’ve been blamed for “losing the war”. Now Bush will ineptly lose it for himself. - Markos Moulitsas

Oh, and have lots of advice.

First, President Bush needs to avoid appointing ultra conservative judges. Judicial extremists who are completely out of the main stream. - Dan Abrams

Lots of advice.

Instead of nominating controversial and outspoken conservatives who are sure to spark bitter challenges, Bush should begin his new term nominating acceptable conservative jurists. Let Bush show the country he wants to nominate the best justices, not the most conservative justices. - Debra J. Saunders

But let us be realistic.