...appropriate in a sick way, I guess, because it was a narrow margin:

Dictionary.com/mandate

mandate

...3: the commission that is given to a government and its policies through an electoral victory...

I guess that's about it. But as Inigo Montoya tells Vizzini in 'The Princess Bride' (and this is from memory, so forgive), "That word, I do not think it means what you think it means."

They won, sure, but there is still close to half the country (or half the voting public) who thinks George Bush needed to go.

Let's remember that.