Reply #3: I think the media always assumed that Ethan would win,

[Blue_In_AK]

because of the size of his campaign warchest, they just didn't think it would be by so much. Diane's campaign had generated so much excitement and she was so well received by so many divergent groups that we just assumed it would carry over into the ballot box. The Republican closed primary hurt us a lot because a lot of people wanted to show their support for Ted (for whatever reason I don't know), and so they had to take the Republican ballot, which, of course, Diane wasn't on. We always were afraid that if the unaffiliated people took the Republican ballot, the establishment Democrats would overwhelm us more independent-minded folks. I just don't want to be represented by another white male lawyer who doesn't know the first thing about the struggles that the common people are faced with every day. We progressives have to take a stand at some point. I think I've drawn my line in the sand.