Bob Novak Just Doesn't Get It

In the Wednesday edition of the Chicago Sun-Times, conservative columnist Robert Novak claimed Barack Obama's historical election last night was not "a broad mandate from the public" and the ensuing Democratic wave did little to change the political alignment in congress. Given recent history and the evidence of a shifting tide in American politics, I'm hard pressed to find a more inaccurate assessment of the outcome.

George W. Bush and Co. declared a "mandate" from the people shortly after his reelection in 2004 by a mere 35 electoral vote-margin. He did so despite barely eking out a majority with 50.7% of the popular vote over John Kerry's 48.3%. Incidentally, this 2.4% margin of victory was the narrowest win for any elected incumbent seeking reelection in all of American history--and he was a war-time Commander in Chief.

Obama sailed over John McCain last night with a clear majority of over 53% of the popular vote and a 6%, 7.4-million vote margin of victory that is over twice that of his predecessor. And with an electoral-vote margin of nearly 200 (over five times that of Bush), Obama's win constitutes not just more than double the "mandate" claimed by Bush, it is an historic landslide by contemporary standards.

The President-Elect flipped eight Bush states to the blue column and managed to get two states -- Indiana and Virginia -- to elect a Democrat for President for the first time in nearly half a century. Solidly red North Carolina hasn't sent a Democrat to the White House in 22 years but they seem likely poised to do so this year. And the changing maps in this election weren't limited to just the Presidency.

In the Senate, Democrats were successful in unseating the incumbent Republicans in New Hampshire, Oregon and North Carolina and won seats formerly held by Republicans in Virginia, Colorado and New Mexico. They failed to upset Republican leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky but, much like the races in blood-red Alaska and Georgia, the outcome should never have been in doubt or so razor-close. This is indeed a year of changing political landscapes.

At the time of this writing, it's still unclear whether a liberal former television writer from New York City will replace the conservative incumbent in Minnesota. And while it is true Democrats will likely fall short of a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, they gained at least six seats and--not counting the unknown outcomes in Alaska, Minnesota, and Georgia--will hold the largest effective majority of either party since 1978. Democratic gains in the House were not of the scale of the Republicans in the last big change election (1980), but they won a majority margin Republicans haven't enjoyed in nearly 80 years.

Some say this election was a referendum on Bush and his failed economic policies. In order to push Bush as far into the background as possible, McCain tried to make it a referendum on Obama, his policies, and his vision for the country. Well, voters answered with the highest turnout ever for a presidential election.

No matter how empty the narrative conservatives choose to salve their wounds of defeat, the unmistakable reality of the 2008 election is that America -- red and blue, young and old, rich and poor -- indeed gave Obama and Democrats an overwhelming and, yes, history-making nod of approval. If Bob Novak doesn't think these vote totals, reshaped electoral map and switching of traditionally red states constitute a "mandate," then I'd be interested to learn what he thinks does.

Read more reaction from HuffPost bloggers to Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election

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Comments

[Cantinflas]

The writer fails to point out that Novak, himself, on "The Capital Gang (CNN)" declared Bush's re-election to be a mandate.

[ObamaSheeple]

Politically, what good is a mandate? So what, if a Representative or Senator needed to pass a health care bill says no and the bill fails; what does he do? Does he beat them over the head with this mystical mandate. I mean, what legal power does it hold? A mandate and $8 will buy you a small cup of coffee at Starbucks.

[WhiteHat]

When both presidential candidates promised change, and the “changier” man won by a healthy margin, I think we have to say Obama did receive a mandate. But not a mandate for “left-wing” policies. 48% did vote against him, and the Democratic gains in Congress were big but not overwhelming.

In addition, as Karl Rove has also observed, Obama’s talking points for the latter part of his campaign were hardly typically leftist - tax cuts and tough talk on Afghanistan sound more like typical right-wing positions.

Obama also came to be seen as the “more steady,” safer choice for president, typically a conservative candidate’s hoped-for image. That perception was aided by comparison with McCain’s bizarre, chaotic campaign, but it absolutely was cultivated by “No Drama Obama.”

Strictly within Novak’s one-dimensional Right/Left, Us/Them worldview, he’s right. No one got a mandate to be a “Crazy Leftie.” Novak’s simplistic point of view is extremely limiting, though, and I think it prevents him from seeing the real message of this election. Obama didn’t campaign as a Left or a Right. Americans simply voted for the man who made the most sense. Novak should read why hundreds of other conservative columnists chose Obama. Maybe then he’d get it.

[addisonsteele]

Robert Novak was once called "No Facts." He usually is as wrong on major issues as Bill Kristol.

[kcar27]

Bob Novak has a brain tumor--supposedly. He drove his convertible into a pedestrian in DC and didn't bother to stop. When confronted by a bicyclist right after the collision, Novak claimed that he hadn't seen the pedestrian--even though he was sprawled on Novak's hood and windshield after the accident.

That was in July. Right after the accident, he claims he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and that he prognosis was grim. According to the doctor who diagnosed Novak, the tumor was affecting Novak's ability to process visual information in his brain, and so his claim not to have seen the pedestrian was plausible. Keep in mind though that he came out with this news 2-3 weeks after Teddy Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, so it seemed like the diagnosis du jour 4 months ago.

No word on what treatment Bob's receiving, or his life expectancy, or how his work and life have changed. Perhaps the tumor's affecting his political judgment as well.

[dmsdzinr]

Novak NEVER DID get it, DOES NOT get it now, and NEVER WILL get it!

[WowJones]

This is one bitter old man.

[rjmiller]

Agreed on all points. Considering the divisive social issues, the major shift in the makeup of Congress is the equivalent of a huge neon sign flashing PROGRESSIVE FISCAL POLICY rolling into the capitol.

On a seperate note, your phrase "it is an historic landslide by contemporary standards" is oxymoronic. Sorry, its a pet peeve.

[felkakarp]

It is not even remotely close to being oxymoronic.

[TommyMcCarthy]

Novak can be forgiven for "not getting it" right now.......­.after all, he's in the grip of a debilitating, likely fatal illness.

Trouble is, he never DID (get it, that is )
tm

[ElBruce]

In fact, the election of Obama just proves how committed America is to far-right values! This is a huge win for the Republican Party!!!1!

^^^ next Republican talking point. Just wait for it.

[rgrein]

Brian, the problem isn't that Bob doesn't get it - the problem is that Bob Novak can't sell it! Yes, a great quote from a surprisingly accurate movie, but life sometimes imitates art.

Unfortunately President-elect Obama's victory on Tuesday is a little short of a mandate. Far more, of course than the claimed 'Bush mandate' of 2000 and 2004, but I think we can't afford to be unrealistic. The 6 point spread means that if just over 3% of voters had changed their minds we would have President-elect McCain, not Obama. While I believe the voters (certainly myself) have demanded change the victors cannot simply run roughshod over the minority as has been done in the past. Our best outcome will be for McCain and Obama to make their post-election speeches real and work together to pull the country, and the world out of the huge mess an out of control Republican party has placed us in.

[argyle]

Bob who?

[franziscate]

Thankfully it doesn't matter any more, what "Bob who" says or doesn't say :))

[Bronx2216]

Rahm emmanuel scares the hell out of Joe Scarborogh - he practically wet himself talking about it
on Wednesday morning. Right now, that's good enough for me (Joe is a party hack who is just plain wrong most of the time).

[franziscate]

Watching politics on TV right now is better than any movie!!!

[SpoxLogic]

Here! Here. And I thought that the excitement would disappear now that the election was over. I was sooo wrong - and I am not sure if that's a good thing or bad. The last year has seen me neglect a lot of things.

[Wiserone]

That's because 'ole Joe KNOWS with Emanual on board it will be a 'Good Cop/Bad Cop' scenario. Or in other words with Emanual, "Obama, I got your back". Remember, Emanual was a real pitt bull when he worked for Clinton. Just the type of guy Obama needs right now.

[joeterwal]

In an attempt to be different or at least appear different, some inadvertently end up looking like the Horses Ass. Novak to me has always been this. Why should be break a perfect record and appear to be anything else.

[jpaese]

I find it interesting that so many people are surprised by the reaction of the radical right wing. Understanding and accepting reality has never been a virtue of these people. They don't accept reality, and they don't accept responsibility for the harm they've done to this country. They are the worst kind of Americans. They tout themselves as "real" Americans, but they only want the America THEY envision. You are only a "real" American in their eyes if you agree with them. They are the most blatant hypocrites in our country. They are the least patriotic in my opinion, and are turning the word Christian into a dirty word.

They are quickly becoming the sound of one hand clapping, and our country is all the better for it.