         }   
     }
     
+    /**
+     *  @private
+     *  Called whenever we need to change the highlighted selection while the dropDown is open
+     *  ComboBox overrides this behavior
+     */
+    mx_internal function changeHighlightedSelection(newIndex:int):void
+    {
+        // Store the selection in userProposedSelectedIndex because we 
+        // don't want to update selectedIndex until the dropdown closes
+        itemSelected(userProposedSelectedIndex, false);
+        userProposedSelectedIndex = newIndex;
+        itemSelected(userProposedSelectedIndex, true);
+        ensureIndexIsVisible(userProposedSelectedIndex);
+        
+        var e:IndexChangeEvent = new IndexChangeEvent(IndexChangeEvent.CARET_CHANGE); 
+        e.oldIndex = caretIndex;
+        setCurrentCaretIndex(userProposedSelectedIndex);
+        e.newIndex = caretIndex;
+        dispatchEvent(e);
+    }
+      
+    
     //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
     //
     //  Event handlers

    /**
     *  @private
     */
    private var _userProposedSelectedIndex:Number = -1;
    
    /**
     *  @private

     */
    override protected function focusOutHandler(event:FocusEvent):void
    {
        if (isOurFocus(DisplayObject(event.target)))
            dropDownController.processFocusOut(event);

        super.focusOutHandler(event);
