The Big Question: What do the results of last night's election mean?

Some of the nation's top political commentators, legislators and intellectuals offer insight into the biggest questions burning up the blogosphere today.

Today's question:

What do the results of last night's election mean?

Rob Richie, executive director of FairVote, said:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski's apparent loss to Joe Miller is the most obvious big story, but that result and several other primaries around the country expose a more enduring story: the remarkable defects of our typical method of picking winners. Common in many states, closed primaries in Alaska's Republican primary can eliminate a major candidate like Sen. Murkowski from contention with relatively few voters having a say - I'm sure Alaska voters would prefer a system where Murkowski could still run in November as an independent.
 
The other major problem yesterday's rresults demonstrate is thats nominating the candidate with the most initial votes may not be a democratic result. In Vermont, Democrats seem headed toward  recount to determine their nominee for governor even as no candidate will have earned even 26% of the vote. In Arizona, Republican Ben Quayle is a poster child for the flaws of election by simple plurality -- despite all the controversies associated with his candidate, his 23% share of the vote was enough to win the Republican nomination in his Republican-leaning congressional district.
 
Voters deserve choices, but they also desever majority winners. Runoff elections or, better yet, instant runoff voting, are the way to go.




Peter Navarro, Editorial Director of Antiwar.com, said:
The Florida result is perhaps the most interesting as it is a key swing state in presidential elections.  Clearly, the Tea Party and Sarah Palin had a good day.  With three years to clean up her act and rap, Palin will be a force to reckon with.  More dyspepsia for George Will.



Bernie Quigley, Pundits Blog Contributor, said:
It means that McCain/Palin 2008 is the rising paradigm. Rising to Palin/Perry 2012 or Palin/Romney 2012 or Palin/McDonnell 2012 or my favorite, Palin/Fiorina 2012.

Frank Askin, professor of law at Rutgers University, said:

Yesterday's primary may provide some good news for Democrats. It
certainly should improve Democrats chances of capturing the governorship
in Florida.  And of Murkowski loses the Senate nomination in Alaska,
that might also provide an opening for the Democrats.