In this volume, the author argues that mandates are not mere statements of fact about the preferences of voters. By examining election outcomes from the viewpoints of the politicians, Conley uncovers the inferences and strategies that translate those outcomes into the national policy agenda.

Presidents have claimed popular mandates for more than 150 years. How can they make such claims when surveys show that voters are uninformed about the issues? In this volume, the author argues that mandates are not mere statements of fact about the preferences of voters. By examining election outcomes from the viewpoints of the politicians, Conley uncovers the inferences and strategies that translate those outcomes into the national policy agenda.