First of all, the Repubs did not win a mandate.

[kentuck]

Because their approval rating at the time of the election was about 22% - lower than the Democrats and much lower than the President's. They did not win because people agree with their ideas. They won because they were able to mount a propaganda campaign of hatred by their Tea Party pawns and were able to get more crazy people to the polls.

It would be a mistake for the Democrats to misinterpret this election. Voters do not agree with the policies of the Republican Party. Unfortunately, in this election, they did not agree with the Democratic Party policies either. But this is no time to give away the store, believing the people support everything the Republicans are for. This is a time to stand on principles and conviction.

[underpants]

1. Well they were smart- they got numbers by going after Blue Dog Dems

who had barely won in 2006 or 2008- like Perriello, he won by 727 votes two years ago.

They spent their corporate money in a constructed organized manner to flat out get numbers.

no it wasn't a mandate at all but the press declared it over and that it was months ago.

[BeFree]

3. No mandate

Half of the few number of people that voted were motivated by liars and deniers financed by the largest dump of money ever in a midterm election.

We have obtained the best government money could buy. And all the buyers could get were a few bluedog congressional seats to show for it. What a waste of money.

Now, the half of the few that did vote, guided, by not lies and denial, but voting for progress, need to uncover just who bought those bluedog seats, and send them all a message that our democracy is not for sale.

It comes down to money for these people, and they get their money from us.
Time we cut their allowance.

[rfranklin]

2. However, they will act and speak as if they did...

And they will create the impression in most people's minds that they did. Aided of course, by their media echo chamber.

[Jade Fox]

4. Old people voted, young people did not.....

which is typical of mid-term elections.

But in the last two years older Americans have had their fears and (especially) their racism brutally stirred up by the Right, so that all logic about voting flew fight out the window. We're talking about people who have enjoyed the benefits of the New Deal their whole live voting for people who are against things like on the grounds that it is Socialism. The person seen holding that sign saying "Keep the government out of my Medicare" pretty much sums up this radical disconnect.

And the racism---geez. I was just thinking this morning that racism makes people act like lunatics. Many older Americans seem to be so scared of that colored man in the White House they will vote for anyone opposed to him.