But, there were a few upsets and, like the NCAA tourney, the #5 vs #12 matchup produced one of them. Newark Mayor Cory Booker (a 12 seed) upset Massachusetts Gov. DeVal Patrick (a 5) by a narrow 53 percent to 47 percent margin. South Dakota Sen. John Thune (a 10) defeated Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (a 7). Both # 9 seeds -- Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman -- pulled off minor upsets as well. (There was considerable criticism of the committee -- i.e. us -- for seeding Warren too low. Noted.)
The round of 16 matchups are an embarrassment of riches for political junkies. At the top of our list is a showdown between two of the most high-profile Democratic women in politics: Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren. On the Republican side the battle of the Pauls -- Rand vs Ryan -- promises to be intriguing.
Vote below on all eight matchups We'll keep the online polling place open until noon Thursday and announce the Elite Eight on Friday!
Republican Bracket
Democratic Bracket