I was just wondering, what was the "landslide" win amount that Reagan had? Cavuto refered to it as a real mandate, as if a few percent and a few million aren't enough for that. What is a landslide in a national election, anyway? In popular vote.
I think 270 means a mandate. He has the job right and the constitution calls simply for +1!
Reagan 54.45 million (59%) 525 EV
Mondale 37.57 million (41%) 13 EV
http://presidentelect.org/e1984.html
The site's 2004 estimate from Monday hit the EV dead on: 286-252.
Reagan's landslide was really electoral more than popular. Everything but Minnesota and DC, which is definitely a landslide.
Reagan got 58.8 percent of the popular vote and Bush Sr. got 54 percent.
Reagan won 49 states and lost Minnesota by a whisker. Mondale won his home state and DC. Popular vote was 59-41. Electoral was a whopping 525-13.
But Cavuto forgets that Reagan lost senate seats continually and finally lost the Senate in 1986. He never did get the House. Mandates are in the eye of the beholder.