mlh@abnjh.UUCP (M. L. Holt) (10/29/84)
27 % of the elgible voters, or 53% of those voting is indeed a mandate, since the opinions of those who don't vote are of no consequence -- their non participation in the election constitutes approval of the outcome. Mike Holt abnjh!mlh
david@fisher.UUCP (David Rubin) (10/31/84)
I agree that non-voters ought to be disregarded in deciding what a
"mandate" is, but personally, I DEFINE mandate as having over 55% of
the vote. Thus, Reagan did not qualify in 1980.
(This is quite the esoteric discussion, ain't it?)
(This one's for you, TC) :-)
David Rubin
{allegra|astrovax|princeton}!fisher!davidwetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (T C Wheeler) (11/01/84)
I guess we disagree on what a mandate is, Dave. I tend to put the percentage higher, like about 60%. In fact, I don't even like to call any vote a mandate unless it goes up into the 90% range. But, given the complexity of our nation and its voting population, I will have to settle for the lower figure. (Now doesn't THAT come out convoluted?) The only REAL thing I would call a mandate would be when my Manager tells me I have to get this job done by such-and-such date and I can do anything I want to get it done. In politics, about the only time I see a mandate being given is in the area of a national emergency when the government must get moving to prevent or stop something from happening or to clean up after a disaster. Although I am voting for RR, I cannot call his winning a mandate. I just feel he has done a fairly good job so far and want him to continue to do so for at least the next four years. I do not want to consider his reelection a mandate as that implies carte blanche and I don't think any politician should have that power. T. C. Wheeler
myers@uwvax.UUCP (Jeff Myers) (11/02/84)
> > > 27 % of the elgible voters, or 53% of those voting is > indeed a mandate, since the opinions of those who don't > vote are of no consequence -- their non participation in > the election constitutes approval of the outcome. > > Mike Holt > abnjh!mlh Bullshit. I suppose you'll say the same about the Nicaraguan elections if there's a low voter turnout?!