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WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and Republicans are analyzing the results of yesterday's Senate primary runoff in Mississippi -- in which tea party favorite Chris McDaniel narrowly lost to six-term incumbent Republican Thad Cochran.
Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York says "mainstream Republicans" have decided they don't want to follow the tea party "over a cliff."
But Republican John McCain says the "anti-Washington feeling" among Americans can't be underestimated -- and he still sees the tea party groups as a strong presence. Still, he's welcoming Cochran's victory as historic, after a nasty and costly primary.
Outside conservative organizations and tea party groups had invested millions in Mississippi in hopes of knocking out Cochran. And the results left them fuming. Taylor Budowich, who heads Tea Party Express, says "nefarious campaign tactics" led to Cochran's victory. Cochran, in a last-ditch effort, had reached out to traditionally Democratic voters -- blacks and union members -- who were allowed to cast ballots in the Republican runoff.
In another setback for the tea party, two-term Congressman James Lankford of Oklahoma won the GOP nomination in the race to succeed Sen. Tom Coburn, who is stepping down with two years left in his term.
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073-a-12-(State Senator Chris McDaniel, R-Miss., in remarks Tuesday to supporters)-"still with us (cheers fade)"-Mississippi state Senator Chris McDaniel says despite his narrow loss to six-term incumbent Senator Thad Cochran, the principles of his campaigned still resonate. (25 Jun 2014)
<<CUT *073 (06/25/14)££ 00:12 "still with us (cheers fade)"
072-a-10-(Senator Thad Cochran, R-Miss., speaking Tuesday to supporters after Republican primary victory)-"very very much (applause fades)"-Senator Thad Cochran says this is a big victory. (25 Jun 2014)
<<CUT *072 (06/25/14)££ 00:10 "very very much (applause fades)"
APPHOTO MSGC119: Chris McDaniel addresses his supporters after falling behind in a heated GOP primary runoff election against incumbent U.S. Senator Thad Cochran on Tuesday June 24, 2014 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/George Clark) (24 Jun 2014)
<<APPHOTO MSGC119 (06/24/14)££
APPHOTO MSRS131: U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., addresses supporters and volunteers at his runoff election victory party Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at the Mississippi Children's Museum in Jackson, Miss. Cochran defeated state Sen. Chris McDaniel of Ellisville, in a primary runoff for the GOP nomination for senate. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (24 Jun 2014)
<<APPHOTO MSRS131 (06/24/14)££
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