This speculation is way too early to constitute an actual prediction, but former Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi, appearing on some radio show, wondered if the Democrats could end up with a brokered convention in 2008, with Hillary, Obama, and Edwards each grabbing about a third of the delegates.

“What could happen is that we’re headed for a brokered convention…Edwards, Hillary and Obama may have enough cash before Iowa even happens to go all the way. Polls are all basically in dead heats. Not one is going to blow out the other two. If they keep this pace up, they’d have enough money to go all the way. I never thought I’d say this in modern politics that it’s possible to have a brokered convention…fighting it down to the last state.”

It seems strangely plausible. The news of Elizabeth Edwards’ cancer returning prompted a lot of Democrats to take a second look at the former vice-presidential candidate, and a significant chunk of them like what they see. Hillary has her base, and it’s hard to see them abandoning her in droves. And Obama’s putting together a very strong challenge, and again, it’s hard to see him suddenly imploding – he’s too polished, too smart, too careful to suddenly go from his solid position to single digits…

As a reporter and political geek, I would love, love, love to cover a brokered convention, where we go in on Monday and don’t know who the nominee will be by Thursday.