mandate for more of the same

Rarely do presidential elections represent a mandate to do particular things. Most of the time, including this year, they merely show that one team got more of its supporters to the polls than the other team. Although there was ticket splitting in some states -- Indiana, Montana, North Dakota -- I don't think voters were deliberately choosing divided government.

But that's what we'll have for the next two years. I'm sure that the renewed Republican majority in the House will feel vindicated in victory, as will the Democrats in the Senate and White House.  I hope, however, that instead of thinking that the voters said "hang tough" they will act as if the voters said "work something out."