Elections in the United States

This is the message I sent to my congressman and two senators
on 6/9/2010:

I watched the Arkansas election with interest last night convinced Bill Halter was going to prevail over Blanche Lincoln.

At the last minute Blanche Lincoln won!

How did I read what I was watching so wrong? How did the announcers get it so wrong?

Today I further explored the results. This is what I found:

http://bluearkansasblog.com/?tag=charles-tapp

Our democracy is in serious trouble if elections are compromised in one way or another. It concerns me. It should concern every American.