If they collectively knew something that the American public didn't know, wouldn't the votes be almost unanimous? It seems to me they would.But in fact, votes concerning the war are far from unanimous. There are quite a few Republicans now voting with the majority of the Democrats on war issues. And probably with good reason. They want to keep their jobs and the American people are not happy with them as far as Iraq is concerned. Actually, as far as anything is concerned. That's because they aren't doing any more than the Republican-majority they replaced.
A CBS poll a month ago stated that 77% of Americans think the war is going badly and furthermore, 40% of Americans want an IMMEDIATE wit...

If they collectively knew something that the American public didn't know, wouldn't the votes be almost unanimous? It seems to me they would.But in fact, votes concerning the war are far from unanimous. There are quite a few Republicans now voting with the majority of the Democrats on war issues. And probably with good reason. They want to keep their jobs and the American people are not happy with them as far as Iraq is concerned. Actually, as far as anything is concerned. That's because they aren't doing any more than the Republican-majority they replaced.
A CBS poll a month ago stated that 77% of Americans think the war is going badly and furthermore, 40% of Americans want an IMMEDIATE withdrawal from Iraq, (which, for the record, I don't think is feasible, but I do think we should get out of that quagmire as soon as possible). 59% said they support a timetable for withdrawal now while only 37 % oppose it. I guess the rest aren't even aware there is a war going on.(J/K, for those of you that take everything seriously.) That shows me that the majority of Americans are fed up with the war. That explains why no one has Bush's back on his execution of it. Even the Conservative prsidential candidates are distancing themselves from Bush and saying the war has been badly handled. They know the people are pissed.

But I think they are equally or more pissed at congress for not standing up to Bush regarding this war. I don't know what you consider a mandate, Jafta, But when Six pro-war Republicans are replaced by Democrats and no Incumbent Democrats were replaced at all there is definitely something going on. And Democrats gaining 31 seats in the house, it smells mandate on the democrats to me.

Maybe you're using a different definition of mandate that I am unaware of. I use the standard one:

–noun
1. a command or authorization to act in a particular way on a public issue given by the electorate to its representative.