To the Editor:

President Bush and his supporters continue to insist that he now has a mandate as a result of the election to carry out his agenda without regard for the wishes of those opposed to his policies. Just what constitutes a mandate anyway?

Bush received 51 percent of the votes cast. That’s only one percentage away from his being in a tie with Sen. Kerry! At least in this election as compared to the 2000 race, Bush did win the popular vote. However instead of touting the number of votes he received, he would do better acknowledging that almost half of the voters in this country voted against him and the policies he advocates.

Will Mebane DV ’06

Nov. 13, 2004