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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dale Baker who wrote (90933)	10/20/2008 11:37:58 PM
From: RMF	Respond to of 541299

The ONLY election this one compares to in the last 50 years is the one in 1980. In 1980 we had terrible economic conditions and our military had seemed impotent in dealing with Iran. Reagan was the "scary" new guy and Carter was the "failed" old guy. The difference is McCain is not an incumbent, yet he is still largely "tainted" by his association with the incumbent party and its current Whitehouse resident.

To: Dale Baker who wrote (90933)	10/21/2008 5:02:42 AM
From: thames_sider	Respond to of 541299

I would say that turnout is significant for mandate as well as margin: if there is a much higher turnout than usual, then winning that means more overall vote, and also indicates the level of motivation and preference... (although I suppose a 52:48 where more people actively don't want you isn't so great either).

To: Dale Baker who wrote (90933)	10/21/2008 9:47:52 AM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 541299

There wasn't much doubt that Reagan had a broad mandate after his re-election by 18 points. Indeed. But my question was about the center. I assumed by the center you meant the center of the liberal/conservative continuum. I don't see how in this election a mandate for Obama would necessarily indicate a shift in the center. We've seen centrists and conservatives and this libertarian attracted to his intellect and temperament. There's no reason that I know of to assume that non-Democrats who opt for Obama have moved left in their thinking. You seem to be equating a vote for Obama with a vote for liberalism.