Shep Smith on FOX used the word MANDATE six times - now seven, now eight - in interviewing Tom Delay and then discussing exit-polls.

Largest Republican block in the Senate since the 1920s eh? MANDATE - yes ...

They are up to 10 MANDATEs now.

Ace has some eye on C-BS stuff that I missed last night.

Last night the MSM offered up to John Kerry: If you are willing to cause a constitutional crisis for the next few weeks, we're here to support you. It appeared that last night that Mary Beth and poodle took the bit.

Most everyone went to bed with apocalyptic visions in their heads.

Percentages are being tossed about on MSM and blogosphere. Let's do a little more math.

W won the popular vote by getting a little over 51% of the vote. You've heard it before, bears repeating: this is the first time with a popular plurality since Bush 41 in 1988. Also, reported as the most votes for a president EVER.

MSM pundits are saying that sure the popular vote is something, but there is going to be such a narrow Electoral College vote that you still have to count it as way too close. Well, looks like Bush will lay claim to New Mexico and Iowa (Both 2000 Gore states) and get 286 EC votes. What do you know, that's 53% (286/538) of the EC vote - GREATER than the popular vote winning percentage.

How, about another percentage? We are a federal republic of states. What percentage of states did Bush win? 61% (31/51 - we have to include DC in this case). Why gosh, that's almost 2/3.

Other over/under, greatest/since stats (or things I've heard said today):

- This is the highest Senate majority of Republicans since the 1920s (That's 55% (55/100)).
- This is the first time since 1936 (FDR) when a President ran for re-election, won, and increased his parties' position in Congress and the Senate.
- Republican Congress plurality percentage (est.) is about 53% (230/435 - still a couple undecided/open)

What do all these interesting stats mean? They mean a MANDATE for W. Dear readers, can you tell that I like that word?

Everyone, sing along with me (to the tune of Nani Nani Poo Poo):

MANDATE, MANDATE, MANNNNDATE, W got a MANDATE!

John Kerry, apparently able to perform addition better than the entire teams at C-BS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and AP, concedes.

Despite exit-poll fraud and the creation of another universe by the MSM overnight, the president won a huge victory.

As to my predictions - 2 for 3. Looks like we missed the 300 electoral number by less than 25,000 votes in Wisconsin and New Hampshire.

David Asman at FOX has used the word MANDATE about a dozen times this morning. Let's see if Dan asks it tonight. Don't hold your breath.

Just when we thought he was done - the morning show folks on CBS called on Dan to be an expert about what the results of the election were. Dan ruminated on the pressure the Bush campaign is putting on the Kerry camp, but that Kerry could keep this going for days if he wants to.

See you on the evening news Dan.

Lesley Stahl playing the foil now - "They aren't being gracious - claiming victory like this. They aren't being bi-partisan. They are just playing hardball."

This after Ed Bradley says that despite Bush being beaten in every way during the campaign that his 51% plurality says something about Bush and something about Kerry.

What about what it says about the American people, Ed? Perhaps, that despite all the MSM spin and attacks, and constant barrage in favor of Kerry that the American people clearly want Bush to continue in office and are giving him huge coattails in the Senate.

It's called a MANDATE, C-BS. If you won't say it, I will :)

Andy announces publicly that this is the first election since 1988 with a plurality greater than 50%. Blogosphere has already said so. Good to hear it from the Bush camp.

Andy also notes that Bush has received more votes for president than any other election in history. Hurrah! Popular plurality greater than three and a half million votes.

Andy Card says Sec State Ohio says their margin is statistically insurmountable. Spin that Dan.

Bush lays claim to Iowa, New Mexico as well.

Andy says that the president has chosen to let John Kerry think about the results of the election for a little while and that the president will make a statement later.

I say give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile. (Dan is rubbing off on me - oh, no!)

Bush has 286.

Dan's spin is to talk to the map with his pencil.

Then asks Bob if he's ever seen a unilateral action like this before. Bob takes this hardball in stride and says that he has not seen a president claim unilaterally that he's won. Bob says, we'll just have to wait until all the votes are counted (Read: We need more time to cheat), to see if they are right in making this incredible unilateral claim.

Jim Thune is making the rounds on the network. He is being very gracious. He'll be a great asset to the Republicans in the Senate. I could not be more elated that he narrowly defeated the incumbent Senator.

Tom Daschle hasn't shown up anywhere that I've seen. Too bad, he could be of great help to the Ohio effort by asking for more time and more counting.