My friend, Peter Meuleners, pulled this info together. Posted here with permission. I think his point is clear.

“I think the real story here is that Obama won, but he’s got no mandate.” – Charles Krauthammer, 2012

“And now that he’s been elected with a large majority, or a significant majority, and with a mandate, I think part of that mandate is to get the right judges, by his likes.” – Charles Krauthammer, 2004

“I earned capital in this campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it.” – George W. Bush, 2004

“When you win, there is … a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view.” – George W. Bush, 2004

“President Bush ran forthrightly on a clear agenda for this nation’s future, and the nation responded by giving him a mandate.” – Dick Cheney, 2004

And then we look at the voting results:

2000

2004

2008

2012

Or, as David Waldman put it in a tweet this morning:

Conservatives win & cheer about it = “mandate.” Liberals win & cheer about it = “gloating.”

— David Waldman (@KagroX) November 12, 2012