I spoke to three veteran campaign consultants, based outside Wisconsin, about what lessons they’re taking away from the oh-so-tight judicial election Tuesday.

One was fairly optimistic:

I had serious worries. They definitely seemed more mobilized than we did. I think you can safely say it’s a small, but nevertheless significant, indication that with both bases fired up, we battle to a tie in a liberal state Obama won with 56% of the vote and where the Republican Governor is in a public image trough. There is a danger in reading too much into it, of course. But it is reassuring to know that after all the hyperbolic crowing out of Madison, conservatives still have some wind at their backs.

One was fairly pessimistic:

I’m not that surprised. It shows the Left and the unions are energized and angry. Even if Prosser wins the recount, the Left will see this as a partial win and encourage them with the recall elections of Republican state senators. I’m hoping this close race shows the Right that they really need to spend money and resources over the next few months or momentum will be completely on the Left’s side.

And the third argued that the result ought to refute a narrative that the Left and many in the mainstream media want to see:

Ultimately, what the Left wanted was a strong repudiation of Republican policy. They wanted an earthquake on the order of Scott Brown winning Ted Kennedy’s seat. Instead, what they got was a tie in a light-blue state. After a month and a half of protests and organizing, the energy level of the Democrats was still matched by out-numbered Republicans. If the Democratic strategy was to exploit outrage about Republican policies and the demonization of Karl Rove, the Koch Brothers, and others, then they must be disappointed by the fact that it didn’t seem to work in Wisconsin, a light-blue state.

This strategist and I concurred that the GOP shouldn’t get too comfortable with the Wisconsin results; as of this writing, it’s still a probable loss and there’s little sign, if any, that the over-the-top expressions of rage against Walker and virulent protests spurred much of a backlash among independents.

Trying to sum up, I suggested, “So far, we’re still in a milder 2010 political atmosphere, not a 2008 one again.” This third strategist concurred.