Primary Results: 5 Lessons for the Midterm Elections

Candidates with the deep pockets win, it pays to come out swinging, and a red tide is rising—Mark McKinnon on the takeaways from the most important races, from McCain to Murkowski and newcomer Allen West.

Mark McKinnon

Published Aug. 25 2010 2:39AM EDT

articles/2010/08/25/primary-results-5-lessons-for-the-midterm-elections/mckinnon-primaries-2_122087_acgqhk — Republican candidate Rick Scott celebrates with supporters on August 24, 2010, in Fort Lauderdale. Florida's Republican voters chose Scott over career public servant Bill McCollum as their candidate for governor. (Photo: Wilfredo Lee / AP Photo)

articles/2010/08/25/primary-results-5-lessons-for-the-midterm-elections/mckinnon-primaries-2_122087_fhbw0n

Forget the media memes written well before Tuesday’s races were called, even before the polls opened: “Insiders win, outsiders lose.” And “Palin loses punch.” After Tuesday’s primaries in Alaska, Arizona, Florida, and Vermont, and a runoff in Oklahoma, the real truths emerged.

Mark McKinnon

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Primary Results: 5 Lessons for the Midterm Elections

Candidates with the deep pockets win, it pays to come out swinging, and a red tide is rising—Mark McKinnon on the takeaways from the most important races, from McCain to Murkowski and newcomer Allen West.

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Mark McKinnon