Your reasoning is weak.
The only reason Hoffman lost is because Dede’s friends still voted for her. If it was a true two-person race, just Hoffman and the Dem, Hoffman would have won.
The 6% who voted GOP knew Dede wouldn't win. That is called a protest vote. That is moderate Republicans, who couldn't vote rat, giving the finger to Rush, Palin, and out of state money. How do you conclude those voter would go out and vote for Hoffman if Dede wasn't running? They were already at the polls TONIGHT and pulled the lever for Dede. Why would they choose Hoffman when they clearly rejected him?
It's not logical. It's just what you want to believe so you can blame the GOP for running a moderate in a liberal state.