Morning in America? Mandate for Change?

Some Obama supporters seem to think his election indicates a sort of mandate from the people. Even if it were so, the nature of any mandate by the people is very unclear. There is simply no consensus of citizens on anything.

For example, the respected polling firm Rasmussen periodically asks Americans if they favor fewer government services with lower taxes, or more services with higher taxes. In late September, the public once again favored smaller government and lower taxes by a 57% to 31% margin. That difference is about 20 points more than Obama's victory margin over McCain. If this election was a reaction to a very unpopular president, any mandate for change simply means throwing the bums out, and we are left with no other idea of exactly what change might mean.