The impact of political landslides and the resulting mandates wear off, even when they are substantial. It will certainly happen when a president exaggerates his extent, as recent chief executives have done.
So it is hardly surprising that some of President Donald Trump’s less hard-core MAGA troops are beginning to show some restiveness at the prospect of casting votes to cut federal programs in their states or districts.
I’m old enough to have covered the epic 89th Congress when even President Lyndon B. Johnson started losing support in Congress despite winning the 1964 election with 61% and having majorities of 295-140 in the House and 68-32 in the Senate.
An important factor was the impact of his ill-fated decision to increase American military involvement in Vietnam.
Trump enjoys nowhere near Johnson’s majorities and mandate. His House majority is 220-215 and his Senate margin is 53-47.