Sarah Palin is a sore loser

[Ms. Toad]

19. It worked exactly as it was supposed to work.

Those who preferred the Republican candidate who was not likely to win were able to vote for that candidate without automatically giving the election to a Democrat.

So while it is true that 59.8% generically wanted a Republican (voting first for either Palin or Begich). Of that 59.8%, 36.5% preferred a Democrat over Sarah Palin (the specific Republican left standing).

So while the 36.5 % of those who voted generically for a Republican didn't get their first choice, they got their second - which happened to a Democrat.