Is there any mandate out of this election? I don't see it. Last election I could tell you several - troops out of Iraq, healthcare reform, Wall Street reform. This election I can't think of one other than perhaps tax reform on people making over $250k. I guess you could say it confirms Obamacare since Romney and the Republicans made repeal of Obamacare a centerpiece of their campaign. Am I missing something? Is there a mandate?

Nothing close to a mandate for anyone IMO.

Nothing close to a mandate for anyone IMO.

 

Yes, I think there is. First as was mentioned, embrace Obamacare. Tinker around the edges if there are things that need to be fixed (I am sure there will be). Second, use a balanced approach to the budget problems that includes both tax reform and spending cuts. Address the fiscal cliff now.

Yes, I think there is. First as was mentioned, embrace Obamacare. Tinker around the edges if there are things that need to be fixed (I am sure there will be). Second, use a balanced approach to the budget problems that includes both tax reform and spending cuts. Address the fiscal cliff now.

 

I agree with those.

Yes, I think there is. First as was mentioned, embrace Obamacare. Tinker around the edges if there are things that need to be fixed (I am sure there will be). Second, use a balanced approach to the budget problems that includes both tax reform and spending cuts. Address the fiscal cliff now.

Why now? Why not during his first term?

Will Obama accept that nearly half of the country didn't support him and do anything to accept their point of view? He certainly did nothing to show he could play nice with others in his first term. I keep hearing all of this bi-partisan talk and so far that's all it is. Maybe, just maybe Obama can lead from the front and show those of us that doubt it that he can back away from his rigid ideology.

Why now? Why not during his first term?

 

Was the fiscal cliff not addressed in the first term?

Why now? Why not during his first term?

 

That's a great question. Obama had both houses of Congress under his thimb the first two years of his first term. If he has such great ideas why didn't he get it done then?

That's a great question. Obama had both houses of Congress under his thimb the first two years of his first term. If he has such great ideas why didn't he get it done then?

 

OK, I will go ahead and answer my own question above. The fiscal cliff was addressed in the first term. In the first two years, no one was thinking fiscal issues because the focus was on saving the economy and spending whatever was necessary to keep jobs and the economy alive. A major part of the fiscal cliff is actually the result of action that was taken in the first term.

 

1. Bush tax cuts - Those were addressed ... and extended by Congress because no one could come to an agreement.

 

2. Budget Cuts - There was a bipartisan commission formed and they made recommendations. Congress would not accept the recommendations and make cuts. Instead they built in automatic cuts if they (Congress) fail to take action. So a big part of the budget cuts coming next year that are leading to part of the fiscal cliff are because Congress would not make the tough decisions in the past 2 years and pushed them off till next year.

 

So you see, these issues were addressed and put off. Let's see if Congress and Obama can work together now and agree on a real plan to address all this. They have no choice. If Congress drags their feet again, there could very well be another credit down grade.

No mandate, this was the election where few were happy with their choices. It showed in that about 14 million less than in 2008 bothered even to vote.

 

Question, what winning margin does indicate a mandate?

Was the fiscal cliff not addressed in the first term?

 

The fiscal cliff was created during his first term. It is the result of the 2011 Budget Control Act that created the not-so-super Supercommittee. It was essentially put there to force the committee to come up with legislation to resolve the debt and deficit situations. That committee failed spectacularly in its appointed task, so here we are. The United States Congress: working hard to get re-elected... and not at much else.

Yes, I think there is. First as was mentioned, embrace Obamacare. Tinker around the edges if there are things that need to be fixed (I am sure there will be). Second, use a balanced approach to the budget problems that includes both tax reform and spending cuts. Address the fiscal cliff now.

 

It's hard to have a mandate when half of the country doesn't want you in office. The President had a clear mandate in 2008, but not this time around. America wants all or some of his signature legislation repealed by a 49-44% margin.

 

I couldn't agree more on the balanced approach to the budget problems, but in no way do I think Obama is going to budge from being an exorbitant spender, nor will the House budge from their protection of tax rates on the wealthy.

 

For at least two more years, we're going to see what we have been seeing during the last two years.

Harry Reid thinks it's a mandate. This is why I have zero confidence that anything will change.

 

Harry Reid agenda: Filibuster crackdown, tax increases - Manu Raju - POLITICO.com

Yep.

Is there any mandate out of this election? I don't see it. Last election I could tell you several - troops out of Iraq, healthcare reform, Wall Street reform. This election I can't think of one other than perhaps tax reform on people making over $250k. I guess you could say it confirms Obamacare since Romney and the Republicans made repeal of Obamacare a centerpiece of their campaign. Am I missing something? Is there a mandate?

 

A mandate is something your party gets, but never the other party.