I got my first harassing tweet last night in response to this:

The numbers came from the New York Times.

This reaction, and similar ones that I’ve observed, suggests to me that this might be something we need to keep pointing out as there’s obviously quite a bit of push-back. Trump himself has tried to obscure the facts of his narrow win by repeatedly claiming he won by a “landslide,” reality be damned. So, let’s keep rubbing this in! The Republicans, including Trump, do not have a mandate! #NoMandate

Only 29% of respondents in a Washington Post-Schar School poll think Donald Trump has a mandate (question 14), showing that the general public has a better grasp on this than the president-elect.

Further evidence of the lack of mandate: Most people don’t trust that Trump can handle being a president (also here). This probably reflects his lack of qualifications for this job – a job he would have never gotten if he had to go through a job application process like the rest of us have to. He also has a dismal approval rating – and almost twice the disapproval than the last few presidents.

The Republicans will act as if they have a mandate, ramming through Congress an agenda that is highly unpopular, starting with dismantling the Affordable Care Act, which despite its short-comings is working, including for Trump voters.

Our task over the next year and beyond will be to constantly remind the Republicans that they do not have a mandate. Only if they keep hearing from us might they be reluctant to implement the more draconian policies they’re so eager to impose on the rest of us. Let’s fight for our rights and our country!

In addition to using the hashtag #NoMandate, you can also sign up for this action. If you’re in the US, make sure you know how your Congresspeople are. Make it your goal to call them so often this year that they recognize your voice and name.

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