Lawmakers mix it up in 2012 bracket

The NCAA tournament isn’t the only bracket heating up these days. NPR has been conducting it’s own single-elimination competition for a different prize: the 2012 Republican nomination for President. And like March Madness, there have been a few upsets.

NPR has asked voters to cast their ballots in a number of head to head match-ups, whittling down the contenders from the initial 32 to the Final Four. Like any non-scientific online poll, the results have been open to a bit of manipulation.

Ron Paul knocked out first-seeded Mitt Romney in second round action, likely due to the libertarian’s massive online following. His supporters then edged him past Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman as well, setting up a Final Four match-up with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) has been on a tear as well, sweeping past Mike Huckabee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty–the #3 and #2 seeds, respectively–in consecutive rounds.

Sarah Palin was eliminated in the second round, falling to Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN).

You can cast your ballot for the championship here.