The New York Times has an interesting piece this morning on the runoff election between Sen. Thad Cochran and his Republican primary challenger, Chris McDaniel.

The piece reflects a general amazement at the way that citizens of Mississippi are voting for McDaniel in spite of all the federal spending that Cochran has brought to the district.

One liberal professor in particular is perplexed by the concept.

Mississippi residents quoted in the story share a common theme: Washington, D.C. stinks and Cochran is part of the problem.