         value = $(@).data 'value'
         self.selectChoiceByValue value
         self.hideResults()
-        @_val = self.element.val()
+        self._val = self.element.val()
         self.element.focus()
 
       @queryResultArea.on 'mouseenter', "li.#{pluginName}_choice", ->
-        highlightedChoice = self.queryResultArea.find("li.#{pluginName}_choice.active")
-        highlightedChoice.removeClass 'active'
+        self.queryResultArea.find("li.#{pluginName}_choice.active").removeClass 'active'
         $(@).addClass 'active'
 
       @element.on 'keyup change search', @doQuery

        @selectChoiceByValue value
        @_val = @element.val()
        @hideResults()

    # show the results area
    showResults: ->

    # @element.on 'keydown'
    # select the highlighted choice
    doSelection: (e) =>
      if e.which is 27 # escape
        @display()
        @hideResults()
      if @queryResultArea.is(':visible')
