• Political strategists discussed the recent presidential election during "On the Issues with Mike Gousha"
• Strategists discussed the change in voter behavior in Wisconsin and its effect on the 2008 election
• Strategists talked about the future for the Democratic and Republican parties

Now that the 2008 election is over, political experts are analyzing the performance of the presidential candidates.

Two political strategists discussed Barack Obama's win over John McCain during an "On the Issues with Mike Gousha" forum last Thursday at the Law School.

Paul Maslin, a Democratic pollster, believed President-elect Obama's victory was due in part to his ability to win the youth and black votes, and a bigger turnout of voters in the South.

"I knew Obama would win. The margin was not a surprise," Maslin said.

Mark Graul, a Republican campaign manager, attributed Sen. McCain's loss to being outspent by Obama. While McCain spent a great deal of time persuading people, Obama had been generating an unprecedented amount of money for the campaign, which helped for advertising, Graul said.

Another reason for McCain's loss, according to Graul, was low Republican voter turnout.

"Many Republicans simply didn't get up to vote," Graul said.

There was a 13-point gain for Democrats in Wisconsin, with Obama winning small town rural areas, Maslin said.

Graul said Wisconsin was never a "must win" state for Republicans, but that it would remain a battleground due to the resources available here.

"Personality candidates are favored in Wisconsin, and Obama was definitely a personality candidate," Graul said. "Even counties like Waupaca, which have voted for Republicans since the '60s, voted for Obama."

Maslin also added that a large number of western states helped push Obama to victory.

With a loss in the 2008 election, Republicans should try to follow Obama's example and increase campaign money and advertising for future elections, Graul said. They would also have to review their decisions over the past few years and correct their mistakes.

As for the Democrats, Maslin said they have "planted the flag of change," and they will have to make sure to live up to it.

Obama will have to handle pressure from many different groups and address all the problems facing the country when he begins his presidency, Maslin said.

"It will be interesting to watch," he said.

Daniel Reitz, a second-year law student, agreed with Graul and Maslin's reasoning.

"They were both realistic about everything," he said.

Reitz also believed that McCain's association with President Bush was a major reason many people voted for Obama.