Panelists Dive Into Details During a ‘Presidential Election Debrief’ at Mason Square

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University Life Arlington Director Melissa Thierry introduces the panel: From left, David Ramadan, Jennifer N. Victor, Terry McAuliffe, and Mark J. Rozell. Photos by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

Nearly 120 audience members-more than 30 of them students from the Schar School of Policy and Government's undergraduate Democracy Lab Learning Community-filled the seats and dined on pizza at George Mason University's Mason Square Monday evening to hear a panel of Schar School political pundits break down the results of the November 5 elections.

Distinguished Visiting Professor Terry McAuliffe: 'Twelve of the last 14 [presidential] elections have been change elections.'

The Pizza & Perspectives: 2024 Presidential Election Debrief did not disappoint in providing the promised insights as to how and why national and regional elections transpired the way they did. The 90-minute event can be seen at the Schar School's YouTube channel.

Schar School dean Mark J. Rozell, the moderator for the discussion, kicked off the event by asking Schar School associate professor Jennifer N. Victorwhat was different about this election cycle that set it apart from others and could it have lasting impact.

After explaining about political realignments and shifting of consensuses, "this was an anti-incumbent sentiment wave election and that explains how we got here," Victor said.

Distinguished Visiting Professor and former governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffeadded that "Twelve of the last 14 [presidential] elections have been change elections. People want to change the person who is in power. Forty percent of the people who voted said their number one issue was the economy and Donald Trump won that by 21 points.

"Twenty percent of those who voted said immigration was the number one issue, and Trump won that by 71 percent…Going into this election was going to be a hard thing for Vice President Harris: 70 percent of Americans thought the country is headed in the wrong direction. Kamala Harris was the partner of Joe Biden. She had a very tough hand to deal with."David Ramadan, foreground, and the panelists listen to a question from the audience.

Before taking questions from the audience, Rozell reminded the panel that politics never takes a year off in Virginia and that in 2025 the state will elect a new governor.

"The Democrats will have the advantage next year to win the governor's mansion in Virginia," said professor of practice and former state delegate David Ramadan, pointing out that traditionally-with the exception of McAuliffe, who broke the convention-the new governor is aligned with the sitting president's opposing party.

"But it's not just that," he added. "They have the advantage on the ground. They have already chosen their nominee in current Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. The Republicans haven't made up their mind…Of course, the crazier things that come out of Washington will make it more and more appealing for Democrats to win the gubernatorial election next year."

Among the lines that received audience applause, McAuliffe announced that during the event he had just received a text message announcing his daughter-in-law-finally, after 10 hours of labor-had given birth to his first grandchild, a boy. (See the announcement at the 32-minute mark on YouTube.)

Also receiving applause was Virginia Delegate Vivian Watts (D-39), the longest-serving woman in the House (she took office in 1996) and current chairman of the finance committee. Watts said she attended to hear the questions from the audience, including those from students, as the questions would reveal additional insights to how the commonwealth's electorate is responding to the election.

The event was sponsored by George Mason's University Life and hosted by University Life Mason Square. See this page for information about future Mason Square events in Arlington, Virginia.