Political March Madness: Round 2

Round 1 went pretty much according to plan; all the top seeds won, as expected.

The biggest upset came as Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, seeded 12th in his division, defeated Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who was seeded fifth. Daniels, re-elected last year rather comfortably over former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson, has long been a favorite of the GOP establishment and is thought to be looking at 2012. Brownback, on the other hand, had his shot at the brass ring last time out. But he never made an impression and was gone from the race in October 2007.

Brownback, in fact, is leaving Washington next year, keeping a term-limits pledge. He long ago indicated he would run for governor. Kathleen Sebelius (D) was ineligible to seek a third term in 2010, but she'll be leaving Topeka earlier than expected now that President Obama has nominated her to be secretary of health and human services.

Brownback now squares off in Round 2 against Utah Gov. John Huntsman, who handed Sen. Jon Ensign a 7-point defeat.

The other surprise came in the other division, as No. 8-ranked John Thune, the senator from South Dakota, was upset by former eBay executive Meg Whitman, ranked 9. Whitman is hoping to succeed term-limited Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in California next year.

So, now, go vote for Round 2. I'll announce winners for that round March 30.