A Stunner in Mississippi

Just under 7000 votes edged six-term Republican Senator Thad Cochran over the line to victory in his closely watched race yesterday in Mississippi against a more conservative challenger, Chris McDaniel. Tea Party groups had targeted the veteran lawmaker as early as last year, hoping to take down a GOP fixture. House Majority leader Eric Cantor's shocking loss in Virginia two weeks ago added to the movement’s momentum. Money and resources poured into McDaniel’s campaign, which is partly why Cochran’s win comes as a shock to most politicos.