Mike McGavick just conceded in his race against Sen. Maria Cantwell. But before he did, he told his supporters in Bellevue not to boo at what he was about to say.

"So a moment ago I participated in one of the great traditions in this democracy, and that is when you know you lost, you call the winner and congratulate them. So I called Maria Cantwell and congratulated her on her next term in the Senate."

The response was lukewarm, but with none of the booing McGavick worried about. That, he said, would have spoiled what he felt was his campaign-long commitment to civility. He said that some of his friends told him this wouldn't be a good year to do that, and he conceded they may have had a point.

But he repeated what he has said about the need to change the dynamics of American political debate.

"In this cold Republican year, that seed may have fallen on stony ground. But it must take root and we must find a way to end this bitterness in our land."