>>but I think it is not only disingenuous, but downright wrong, to argue that anything and everything done by an elected official "has the support," ipso facto,of the populace.

That's horse shit. It can be argued that all legally elected officials have the support of some of the populace. In most cases they at least have the support of the majority that voted. It can also be argued that most politicians try to please the voters when they make laws. Are you arguing that all laws are made in a complete vacuum because every person does not get to vote on every law? Talk about disingenuous.