Submitted by Eric Baum, Jan 17, 2008 10:05

Here's a scenario that doesn't seem as far fetched as it once did: Ron Paul continues getting 5-10% in every primary. He comes to the convention with 50 fiercely loyal delegates, as well as the possibility that his active involvement in a campaign may deliver a small set of swing or non-voters in every swing state. Giuliani (Thompson? whoever) wins the nomination on the third ballot only after Paul endorses him, based on a promise of Secretary of State (Treasury? Education? CIA?). After the election, Paul runs his department in typically radical fashion, firing 90% of the bureaucrats on day 1, repealing numerous policies, and spending a fraction of the budget. Conventional wisdom is confounded when the department is much more effective (or at least does much less damage) than its current dysfunction.

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