Tuesday’s Republican Party Primary runoff election was heralded as a clarion call for change.

Nearly half of the voters wanted Tea Party-backed challenger Chris McDaniel to be selected as the party’s nominee to face a Democratic opponent in November. Unfortunately for them, just a few thousand more Mississippians voted for incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran.

Many McDaniel supporters are livid Cochran’s campaign reached out and asked Democrats to vote for him.

The move was blasphemy, they suggest. Cochran supporters view it as simply smart politics.

We understand the frustration McDaniel supporters feel. Cochran’s camp effectively outplayed them.

Whether or not one likes the tactic, seeking the support of voters who didn’t vote in the earlier primary was smart.

Clearly, the long-time senator is viewed as a bit less threatening to many Democrats, perhaps, when compared to McDaniel.

Or perhaps voters realized that good leaders keep an open mind and a willingness to work together on issues, something the Tea Party seems loath to do.

Our nation’s system of government isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty good so long as all involved have the best interests of the people they represent and a willingness to work together — even with people who share different beliefs.

That logic should cut across all party lines.