As President-elect Barack Obama awaits inauguration this coming January, people all across the nation will contemplate the many factors that contributed to his election and what comes next on America's political playing field.
Three UW-Madison political science professors analyzed these topics Wednesday night at The Day After: Who Won the 2008 Election and Why"" panel discussion, held at Memorial Union.
Unprecedented high youth turnout and increased voting among African American and Latino voters contributed to Obama's victory, according to professor David Canon.
""In many states, 18 to 29 year old voters actually turned out at a rate that was comparable to their level of population '¦ which is something that has never happened before since 18-year-olds got the right to vote,"" Canon said.
Shifts in voting behavior among voters in higher income brackets also contributed. Canon said voters in the $200,000 income bracket overwhelmingly voted for Obama.
""The wealthiest actually voted for Barack Obama '¦ that doesn't happen anymore '¦ wealthy people tend to vote for Republicans,"" Canon said.
Professor Byron Shafer discussed the rarity of electing a ""northern Democrat,"" another factor that marked this history-making election.
""You couldn't do it for 50 years, and we just did it [Tuesday],"" Byron said.
The transformational nature of this election begs the question of whether or not Obama, who ran on a platform of change, will produce all the policy changes he promised during the campaign season. Professor Kenneth Mayer described the pressure Obama will face from both parties after his inauguration.
""The expectations for Obama are higher than probably any president since Roosevelt,"" Mayer said, later elaborating on some of Obama's promised policies such as tax cuts and the closing of Guantanamo Bay.
""He promised many times over the past year that one of the first things he would do as president would close the military prison at Guantanamo '¦ during the campaign you can say that '¦ no one asks you precisely what you mean,"" Mayer said.
Mayer explained the skills required for a successful campaign are different than those required for a successful presidency. ""Campaigning is not like governing,"" he said.
Later, Mayer said establishing priorities would be essential for a successful Obama administration.
""He has to exercise leadership over the agenda '¦ at the same time'¦ you can't overreach,"" Mayer said.
The panel members agreed Obama will likely govern from the middle, rather than adhering to partisan party politics.
""Obama will resist the temptation for the most part,"" Canon said, explaining that, ""on some of the economic agenda, he will try to reach out to get some Republican support.
