Friday, November 05, 2004
Media faithfully parrots GOP's "mandate" talking point
I can't believe how much talk there is in the media about a "mandate."
After the closest win by an incumbent since 1916, we see this top headline in USA Today this morning:
The New York Times, CBS, the Wall Street Journal, and just about every other outlet is using the word as well, regurgitating the GOP talking point. Here's a good article in Editor & Publisher that questions whether these outlets have lost their collective minds.
I guess it's a mandate in the sense that he got more votes than his opponent this time. Is that all the word means now?
When more than 48% of Americans voted for the man branded as "the most liberal man in the Senate," you have to question just how much of a mandate Bush has. If he acts like he has a huge majority behind him, the GOP will pay for it within a few years. So the question is: will Bush continue to be beholden to the far-right, or will he start to worry a bit about his legacy -- and the country's future?
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After the closest win by an incumbent since 1916, we see this top headline in USA Today this morning:
"Clear mandate will boost Bush's authority, reach."
I guess it's a mandate in the sense that he got more votes than his opponent this time. Is that all the word means now?
When more than 48% of Americans voted for the man branded as "the most liberal man in the Senate," you have to question just how much of a mandate Bush has. If he acts like he has a huge majority behind him, the GOP will pay for it within a few years. So the question is: will Bush continue to be beholden to the far-right, or will he start to worry a bit about his legacy -- and the country's future?
0 comments. Leave one!
