2012 madness: T-Paw upset by S.C. senator

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has crapped out of the elite eight in National Public Radio’s contest to see who will head the Republican ticket in 2012. After surviving a tough battle against former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, T-Paw got blindsided by South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint. The eighth seed had already shocked former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

There have been all kinds of zany results, with top seeds Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney going down early, prompting suspicions of ballot stuffing. The final four also includes a pair of sixth seeds (Reps. Ron Paul and Mike Pence) and a third seed (South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford). Of course, given the zealotry of Paul’s supporters, he probably should have been considered the favorite from the outset.

(h/t: Political Animal)