I think we're overreacting to Specter's public comments. Let's be patient and see what happens to the first Bush nominee.
The focus here needs to be on the MSM, not Specter. They are tossing about this "mandate" word like the "gravitas" garbage four years ago. If Bush won by ten points in the popular vote and garnered over 400 EV, the MSM would still say he doesn't have a mandate. Bush has a mandate if he believes he has one. Recall the infamous tax hike of 1993, WJC won it by one vote in the Senate (Al Gore breaking the tie) and said, "The margin was close, but the mandate is clear." I do not recall the MSM challenging him on this, only Rush.