Write-Ins Can Win

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, appears headed for victory as a write-in candidate as she seems to have built an insurmountable lead over Tea Party rival Joe Miller as counting of voters’ write-ins continue. This New York Times story by Nate Silver explains why Murkowski is likely to retain her Senate seat as a write-in after losing to Miller in the GOPrimary. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Question: Some say that the challenge by Tea Party candidates cost Republicans a U.S. Senate majority in the next Congress. What do you think?