After more than 150,000 votes in the 2013 Daily Kos Republican March to Madness Tournament—and more wingnuttery than is safe for human consumption—we now have a Crazy Eight. And it will be from these eight loons that a champion wingnut will be picked.
Here's a look at the bracket (click on it to enlarge):
Click to enlarge
Yet again, what a testament to the incredible depth of this year's field: we've got two #1 seeds (Rush Limbaugh and Rick Santorum), but we've also got a #15 seed (Ann Coulter) and two #10 seeds (Pat Roberts and Wayne LaPierre).
LaPierre in particular is evidence of the GOP's outstanding depth chart: He never would have made it this far just a few months ago, but his nutty reaction to the push for sensible gun control has vaulted him into an elite field. He was literally just waiting for his moment—and he seized it, with reckless disregard for anything but pure nutjobbery. That's what it takes to win this thing, and he's got his work cut out for him: His opponent will be #4 seed Dick Cheney.
Rounding out the Crazy Eight are Michele Bachmann and Steve King who will face off in an epic battle of teabaggers. The winner of the whole tournament easily might come down to that one matchup. It will be amazing.
We'll get things underway this afternoon with Limbaugh vs. Coulter followed by Santorum vs. Robertson. Tomorrow will be the Bachmann vs. King and Cheney vs. LaPierre matchups. You'll have until Monday morning at 8:30 AM ET to vote after which we'll announce our Freakshow Four.